Brief Overview of σπάω (Strong’s G4685: spao)

Strong’s G4685: A verb meaning to draw or pull out, particularly a weapon. In New Testament usage, it specifically appears in the context of drawing a sword, most notably in the Garden of Gethsemane incident where Peter draws his sword to defend Jesus, illustrating human attempts to prevent God’s sovereign plan.

U- Unveiling the Word

Σπάω carries significant meaning in its New Testament context, particularly in the Garden of Gethsemane narrative. While its basic meaning is simply “to draw out,” its usage in Mark 14:47 becomes deeply theological, representing human resistance to God’s plan of redemption through the Messiah’s suffering. The early church saw in this word a powerful reminder of how human wisdom and force often oppose God’s ways. Today, it continues to warn believers against attempting to advance God’s kingdom through worldly means or violence.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σπάω, spao, /ˈspa.ɔː/
• Pronunciation Guide: “SPAH-oh”
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root: σπα- (spa-) primitive verb root
• Related to Proto-Indo-European *speh₁- (“to pull, draw”)
• No prefixes or suffixes in basic form

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: To draw out
• Secondary meaning: To pull forth
• Specific meaning: To unsheathe (a sword)

Translation Options:

• Draw – Most common in weapon contexts
• Pull out – More general usage
• Unsheathe – Specific to sword contexts

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἕλκω (helkō) /ˈhel.kɔː/ – To drag or draw, often forcefully – See G1670
• σύρω (surō) /ˈsy.rɔː/ – To drag or draw violently – See G4951
• ἀποσπάω (apospaō) /a.poˈspa.ɔː/ – To draw away, withdraw – See G645

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Tense: Present, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural

Examples:

• Present Active: σπάω (spaō)
• Aorist Active: ἔσπασα (espasa)
• Perfect Passive: ἔσπασμαι (espasmai)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its specific use with weapons in New Testament contexts. Thayer’s notes its broader classical usage beyond weaponry. LSJ provides evidence of its use in medical contexts for extraction. Vine’s highlights its significance in the Gethsemane narrative. Moulton and Milligan document its technical use in military contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Mark 14:47: “And one of those who stood by drew [σπάω] his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.”

Additional References:
Acts 16:27

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Σπάω, particularly in its Garden of Gethsemane usage, reminds us that God’s kingdom advances not through force but through sacrifice and love. Peter’s drawing of the sword represents human tendency to resist God’s plan, while Jesus’ response shows us the true path of kingdom advancement through submission to the Father’s will.

D – Did You Know?

• The word was commonly used in medical texts for extracting objects
• It appears in ancient military manuals describing weapon handling
• Early church writers used it metaphorically for “drawing” truth from Scripture

Strong’s G4685: A verb primarily meaning to draw out or pull forth, particularly a weapon. In New Testament usage, it appears notably in the Garden of Gethsemane scene, symbolizing human resistance to God’s redemptive plan through attempted use of force.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: sword, weapons, Gethsemane, Peter, violence, resistance, Mark, Acts, military terms, discipleship, submission​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​