Brief Overview of ἀπογράφω (G583)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek verb ἀπογράφω (apographo) means “to register” or “to enroll.” It involves the action of writing down names or details in an official record, often for administrative purposes such as census-taking or record-keeping.
• Contextual Usage: This verb is used to describe the process of formally recording or listing people, usually in the context of governmental or official documentation.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G583): Strong’s defines ἀπογράφω as “to register” or “to enroll.” It conveys the idea of entering names or details into an official register or list.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s provides a similar definition, explaining that ἀπογράφω means “to enroll” or “to register,” specifically referring to the action of recording names in an official or administrative context.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀπογράφω as “to register” or “to record.” It emphasizes the term’s use in the context of creating or updating official records or lists, such as those for a census or other administrative purposes.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ describes ἀπογράφω as “to register” or “to enroll,” with a focus on the formal process of recording or listing names in an official register.

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: The verb ἀπογράφω appears in contexts related to official records. For instance, in Luke 2:1–3, it describes the act of enrolling people in a census conducted by Caesar Augustus. This usage highlights its role in the administrative processes of ancient governments.

In summary, ἀπογράφω (G583) means “to register” or “to enroll,” referring to the action of officially recording names or details. Greek lexicons and biblical usage focus on its application in formal administrative contexts, such as census-taking and official record-keeping.