Brief Overview of σαγήνη (Strong’s G4522: sagēnē)

Strong’s G4522: A large dragnet or seine net used in fishing, drawn through the water to catch everything in its path. In the New Testament, it appears in Jesus’s parable of the dragnet, symbolizing the comprehensive gathering and final separation at the end of the age.

U- Unveiling the Word

The term σαγήνη describes a specific type of fishing net that was fundamental to ancient Mediterranean fishing practices. In Matthew 13:47, Jesus employs this common fishing tool as a powerful metaphor for the kingdom of heaven, illustrating how the gospel message gathers people of all kinds before the final judgment. Unlike smaller nets, the σαγήνη was comprehensive in its catch, symbolizing the universal scope of God’s kingdom work. Early church fathers saw in this term a picture of both the church’s mission and the final judgment. Today, this word reminds us of the gospel’s comprehensive reach and the ultimate separation that awaits at Christ’s return.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σαγήνη, sagēnē, /sag-ay’-nay/
• Pronunciation Guide: “sag” (like ‘sag’), “ay” (like ‘day’), “nay” (like ‘nay’)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Possibly from σάττω (sattō) – to fill, pack
• Related to ancient fishing terminology
• No prefixes or suffixes
• Root word appears in various Mediterranean languages

D – Defining Meanings

• Dragnet
• Seine net
• Large fishing net
• Sweep net

For compound words:
Not a compound word – it’s a primitive noun

Translation Options:

• “dragnet” – emphasizes comprehensive gathering
• “seine net” – technical fishing term
• “sweep net” – describes the motion of use

E – Exploring Similar Words

• δίκτυον (diktuon) /dik’-too-on/ – fishing net See G1350 – general term for net
• ἀμφίβληστρον (amphiblestron) /am-fib’-lace-tron/ – casting net See G293 – smaller net type
• θήρα (thēra) /thay’-rah/ – hunting, catching See G2339 – related to capturing

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: First declension

Example forms:

• Nominative singular: σαγήνη
• Genitive singular: σαγήνης
• Dative singular: σαγήνῃ
• Accusative singular: σαγήνην

Cross-references:

• Related verb: σαγηνεύω (to catch with a dragnet)
• Related adjective: σαγηνευτικός (pertaining to dragging)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes σαγήνη’s technical fishing usage and metaphorical significance. Thayer’s describes its comprehensive gathering function. LSJ provides evidence of its use in Mediterranean fishing culture. Vine’s highlights its parabolic application. Strong’s connects it to seine fishing methods. LEH notes its usage in Septuagint fishing contexts. Moulton and Milligan document its technical use in papyri.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind (Matthew 13:47)

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word σαγήνη powerfully illustrates the comprehensive nature of God’s kingdom work. Just as this net gathered fish of every kind, King Jesus’s gospel message reaches out to all people. This reminds us that the church’s mission is universal in scope, yet also points to the final separation when Christ returns. The good news is that God’s kingdom net is still being drawn, inviting all to enter His kingdom before the final judgment.

D – Did You Know?

1. The σαγήνη was the largest type of fishing net used in ancient Mediterranean fishing.
2. Early Christian art sometimes depicted evangelists as fishermen with the σαγήνη.
3. The term influenced the development of fishing terminology in several modern languages.

Strong’s G4522: A large dragnet or seine net used in fishing, drawn through the water to catch everything in its path. In the New Testament, it appears in Jesus’s parable of the dragnet, symbolizing the comprehensive gathering and final separation at the end of the age.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: dragnet, fishing, parables, kingdom of heaven, judgment, evangelism, gathering, Matthew’s Gospel, separation, eschatology​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​