Brief Overview of ἀποπλανάω (G635: Apoplanáō)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apoplanáō

Root Words: The term ἀποπλανάω (apoplanáō) is derived from the prefix ἀπό (apó, “from”) combined with πλανάω (planáō, “to lead astray” or “to wander”).

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Primary Meanings:

• To lead astray or to mislead.
• To cause someone to stray or wander from a path or proper direction.
• To deceive or cause confusion.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἀποπλανάω as “to lead astray” or “to deceive,” noting that it carries the sense of causing someone to stray from a correct path or proper understanding.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀποπλανάω as “to lead astray” or “to wander,” emphasizing its use in contexts where someone is misled or led away from the right way.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary highlights that ἀποπλανάω means “to lead astray” and is used to denote the act of causing someone to deviate from the right path or truth.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποπλανάω as “to lead astray” or “to deceive,” with an emphasis on causing deviation from a correct or intended direction.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s describes ἀποπλανάω as “to lead astray” or “to wander off,” focusing on its meaning of misdirection or deception.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Homer (Odyssey, 8th century BCE): Homer uses a form of πλανάω (planáō) to describe characters being misled or wandering astray, reflecting the root concept of being led away from the correct path.

Sophocles (Oedipus Rex, 5th century BCE): Sophocles employs terms related to ἀποπλανάω to depict characters being deceived or misled by false information, illustrating its use in dramatic contexts of misdirection.

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics, 4th century BCE): Aristotle discusses the idea of being led astray in moral terms, using concepts related to ἀποπλανάω to describe deviation from virtuous behavior or moral principles.

4. Summary:

ἀποπλανάω (apoplanáō) means “to lead astray” or “to mislead,” referring to causing someone to deviate from a correct path or proper direction. It conveys the idea of deception or confusion, resulting in straying from truth or right behavior. In classical Greek literature, this term and its related forms are used to describe characters who are misled or deceived, illustrating the concept of wandering from intended or correct paths. Understanding this term sheds light on its application in both physical wandering and metaphorical contexts of misdirection in ancient Greek thought.