ἀγέλη – Pronunciation Guide: ah-GEL-ay (emphasis on second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G34: A herd, drove, or flock; specifically referring to a group of animals kept together under supervision. In New Testament usage, exclusively refers to a herd of swine.

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Word Study

• Part of Speech: Noun, feminine
• Root: From ἄγω (agō, “to lead, bring, carry”)

Morphology

• ἀγέλη (nominative singular) – a herd
• ἀγέλης (genitive singular) – of a herd
• ἀγέλῃ (dative singular) – to/for a herd
• ἀγέλην (accusative singular) – the herd

Word Origin & History

The term ἀγέλη emerges from ancient Greek agricultural and pastoral contexts, combining ἄγω (“to lead”) with the collective suffix -έλη. In classical Greek literature, Xenophon employed this term in his “Cyropaedia” when discussing the organization of herds and the importance of skilled shepherding.

Homer utilized ἀγέλη in the Odyssey to describe organized groups of livestock, emphasizing the orderly nature of animals under human supervision.

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀγέλη appears exclusively in the synoptic Gospels’ accounts of the Gadarene demoniac, where a large herd of swine plunges into the sea following Jesus’s exorcism of demons.

Key Passages

• Matthew 8:30-32
• Mark 5:11-13
• Luke 8:32-33

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish culture, the presence of swine herds in the Decapolis region highlighted the Gentile character of the area, as pig farming was forbidden under Jewish law. This cultural detail provides important context for understanding Jesus’s ministry beyond traditional Jewish territories and His mission to both Jews and Gentiles.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀγέλη in the Gadarene narrative demonstrates the Messiah’s absolute authority over both the spiritual and natural realms. The destruction of the herd serves as a powerful testimony to Jesus’s divine power and the high value He places on human souls over material possessions.

This word also connects to the broader biblical theme of shepherding, contrasting the organized but soulless gathering of unclean animals with the loving guidance of Yahweh’s flock, as beautifully portrayed in Psalm 23.

Personal Application

When we consider ἀγέλη in its biblical context, we’re reminded that true community under divine shepherding differs dramatically from mere collective existence. This challenges us to examine our own participation in Christian community – are we merely part of a herd, or are we actively engaged in the kind of fellowship that reflects God’s transformative presence?

Related Words

• ποίμνη (poimnē) – flock, especially of sheep – See G4167
• ποιμήν (poimēn) – shepherd – See G4166
• ἄγω (agō) – to lead, bring – See G71

Did You Know?

• The word ἀγέλη survived into Modern Greek, where it still means “herd” or “flock”
• In ancient Sparta, the term was used metaphorically for groups of young men in military training
• Archaeological evidence from the Decapolis region confirms extensive pig farming operations during the New Testament period

Remember This

Where there is divine shepherding, there is purpose beyond mere gathering – there is transformation, protection, and spiritual growth.