Brief Overview of ἀπογραφή (G582)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek noun ἀπογραφή (apographē) generally means “a registration” or “a census.” It refers to the act of recording or listing people, often for purposes such as taxation or population counting.
• Contextual Usage: This term is used in the context of official records or registrations, particularly in administrative or governmental settings where an official enumeration or listing is required.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G582): Strong’s defines ἀπογραφή as “a registration” or “a census.” It specifically refers to the official listing of individuals, which could be for purposes such as a census or tax purposes.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s expands on this definition, noting that ἀπογραφή refers to a “census” or “registration,” particularly in the context of listing people for administrative purposes. It highlights its use in governmental or official contexts.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀπογραφή as “a registration,” “a census,” or “a list.” It emphasizes the term’s use in administrative and bureaucratic contexts where official records are kept.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ describes ἀπογραφή as a “census” or “a registration,” focusing on the administrative aspect of listing or recording individuals.

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: In the New Testament, ἀπογραφή is notably used in Luke 2:2, referring to the census conducted by Caesar Augustus, which required people to register in their respective towns. This context highlights the term’s significance in historical and administrative settings, illustrating its role in the context of official record-keeping for taxation and population purposes.

In summary, ἀπογραφή (G582) is a noun meaning “registration” or “census,” referring to the official listing or recording of individuals, typically for administrative or tax purposes. Greek lexicons and biblical usage underscore its role in governmental contexts where formal records are necessary.