29. aggareuó

Lexicon

aggareuó: to compel, to press into service

Original Word: ἀγγαρεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aggareuó
Pronunciation: ang-gar-YOO-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (ang-ar-yew'-o)
Definition: to compel, to press into service
Meaning: I impress (into my service), send (on an errand).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Hagar.

Of foreign origin (compare 'iggra'); properly, to be a courier, i.e. (by implication) to press into public service -- compel (to go).

see HEBREW 'iggra'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Pers. origin, cf. iggerah
Definition
to impress, compel
NASB Translation
forces (1), pressed into service (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 29: ἀγγαρεύω

ἀγγαρεύω; future ἀγγαρεύσω; 1 aorist ἠγγάρευσα; to employ a courier, despatch a mounted messenger. A word of Persian origin (used by Menander, Sicyon. 4), but adopted also into Latin (Vulg.angariare). Ἄγγαροι were public couriers (tabellarii), stationed by appointment of the king of Persia at fixed localities, with horses ready for use, in order to transmit royal messages from one to another and so convey them the more speedily to their destination. See Herodotus 8, 98 (and Rawlinson's note); Xenophon, Cyril 8, 6, 17 (9); cf. Gesenius, Thesaurus under the word אִגֶרֶת; (B. D. under the word ; Vanicek, Fremdwörter under the word ἄγγαρος). These couriers had authority to press into their service, in case of need, horses, vessels, even men they met (cf. Josephus, Antiquities 13, 2, 3). Hence, ἀγγαρεύειν τινα denotes to compel one to go a journey, to hear a burden, or to perform any other service: Matthew 5:41 (ὅστις σε ἀγγαρεύσει μίλιον ἕν i. e. whoever shall compel thee to go one mile); Matthew 27:32 (ἠγγάρευσαν ἵνα ἄρῃ i. e. they forced him to carry), so Mark 15:21.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a Persian loanword, referring to the practice of impressment or compulsory service, particularly in the context of the Persian postal system where couriers could compel others to assist in their duties.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀγγαρεύω, as it is a term specific to the Greco-Roman context. However, the concept of being compelled or pressed into service can be related to Hebrew terms that describe forced labor or servitude, such as עָבַד (avad, Strong's Hebrew 5647), which means to work or serve, often under compulsion.

Usage: The term is used in the New Testament to describe the act of compelling someone to perform a service, typically under duress or obligation. It appears in contexts where individuals are forced to carry out tasks by those in authority.

Context: The Greek verb ἀγγαρεύω (angareuō) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of compelling someone to perform a service, often under the authority of a ruling power. This term is notably used in the context of Roman occupation, where soldiers or officials could compel civilians to carry out certain tasks.

In the Berean Standard Bible, ἀγγαρεύω appears in two key passages:

• Matthew 5:41: "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Here, Jesus teaches about going beyond what is required or expected, using the example of being compelled to carry a burden for a Roman soldier. The instruction to go the extra mile emphasizes a spirit of generosity and willingness to serve beyond obligation.

• Matthew 27:32: "As they were going out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross of Jesus." In this passage, Simon of Cyrene is compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus on the way to the crucifixion. This act of compulsion highlights the authority of the Roman soldiers and the burden placed upon Simon.

The use of ἀγγαρεύω in these contexts underscores themes of authority, obligation, and the call to respond to compulsion with grace and willingness. It reflects the socio-political realities of the time, where Roman authorities exercised power over the subjugated populations, and it serves as a backdrop for Jesus' teachings on humility and service.

Forms and Transliterations

αγγαρεύουσι αγγαρευουσιν ἀγγαρεύουσιν αγγαρευσει ἀγγαρεύσει ηγγαρευσαν ηγγάρευσαν ἠγγάρευσαν angareuousin angareúousin angareusei angareúsei engareusan engáreusan ēngareusan ēngáreusan

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 5:41 V-FIA-3S
GRK: ὅστις σε ἀγγαρεύσει μίλιον ἕν
NAS: Whoever forces you to go one mile,
KJV: shall compel thee to go a mile,
INT: whoever you will compel to go mile one

Matthew 27:32 V-AIA-3P
GRK: Σίμωνα τοῦτον ἠγγάρευσαν ἵνα ἄρῃ
NAS: whom they pressed into service to bear
KJV: by name: him they compelled to bear
INT: Simon him they compelled that he might carry

Mark 15:21 V-PIA-3P
GRK: καὶ ἀγγαρεύουσιν παράγοντά τινα
NAS: They pressed into service a passer-by
KJV: And they compel one Simon
INT: And they compel passing by one

Strong's Greek 29
3 Occurrences

ἀγγαρεύουσιν — 1 Occ.
ἀγγαρεύσει — 1 Occ.
ἠγγάρευσαν — 1 Occ.