ἀνάγκη (anankē) is a Greek noun that primarily means:

1. Necessity: The state or condition of being required or unavoidable.
2. Compulsion: An external force or circumstance that demands action.
3. Distress: In some contexts, it can indicate a situation of hardship or distress caused by necessity.

Detailed Overview with Concordances

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1. BDAG (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature):

• BDAG defines ἀνάγκη as “necessity” or “compulsion.” The lexicon notes that it can refer to a physical or moral necessity, a condition where something is required by external circumstances. It includes various uses in both classical and biblical texts where the term denotes something unavoidable or required.

2. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek-English Lexicon):

• LSJ defines ἀνάγκη as “necessity” or “compulsion.” The lexicon covers its usage in classical Greek, where it often describes the need or compulsion imposed by circumstances, including physical, social, or moral contexts.

3. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer provides that ἀνάγκη means “necessity” or “distress,” highlighting its use to describe situations where something is unavoidable due to external pressure or circumstances. Thayer’s explanation includes the term’s application to moral or existential conditions that compel action.

4. Strong’s Concordance:

• Strong’s Concordance identifies ἀνάγκη as G318, defining it as “necessity” or “distress.” It emphasizes that the term is used to indicate an unavoidable situation or condition that imposes a requirement on action or behavior.

Summary:
ἀνάγκη (anankē) is a noun meaning “necessity,” “compulsion,” or “distress,” reflecting situations that require action due to unavoidable external pressures or conditions. Major lexicons like BDAG, LSJ, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, and Strong’s Concordance recognize its use in describing both physical and moral compulsion and its role in contexts of distress or unavoidable circumstances.