Word Study for G1185 (δελεάζω)

deleázō /del-eh-ad'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom the base of δόλος

Meaningto entrap, i.e. (figuratively) delude

KJV usageallure, beguile, entice.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of deleázō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word deleázō, represented by G1185, means to entrap or, figuratively, to delude. It is translated as to allure, beguile, or entice. This term appears 3 times in 3 unique verses, highlighting its specific application in the context of temptation and deception.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G1185 describes the mechanism of being lured into sin. In James, it portrays the final step in a person's internal temptation, where one is first drawn away by their own lust and then enticed James 1:14. The Apostle Peter uses the term twice to describe the methods of false teachers. He states that they are beguiling unstable souls 2 Peter 2:14, with hearts trained in covetous practices. He further explains that they allure people who had escaped from error by using "great swelling words of vanity" and appealing to "the lusts of the flesh" 2 Peter 2:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context in which G1185 is used:

G1828 exélkō (to drag forth, i.e. (figuratively) to entice (to sin)): This word appears alongside G1185 to describe the process of temptation, where a person is first drawn away before being enticed James 1:14.
G1939 epithymía (a longing (especially for what is forbidden)): This is the internal force that makes enticement effective. It is one's own lust that draws them away James 1:14, and it is through the lusts of the flesh that false teachers allure people 2 Peter 2:18.
G793 astḗriktos (unfixed, i.e. (figuratively) vacillating): This word describes the targets of those who beguile. False teachers prey on unstable souls, who are not firmly grounded 2 Peter 2:14.
G4106 plánē (objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety): This is the environment from which some are trying to escape, only to be allured back by false teachers who themselves live in error 2 Peter 2:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1185 is significant in understanding the nature of sin and false teaching.

The Anatomy of Temptation: The word is key to the process outlined in scripture. Temptation is not merely an external assault but involves an internal component where one's own lust G1939 leads them to be drawn away G1828 and ultimately enticed G1185 into sin James 1:14.
The Method of Deceivers: False teachers use enticement as a primary tool. They do not rely on truth but on "great swelling words of vanity" (G5246, G3153) and appeals to fleshly desires (G1939, G4561) to lure their victims 2 Peter 2:18.
The Vulnerability of the Unstable: The act of beguiling is particularly effective against "unstable souls" G793, highlighting the danger of spiritual immaturity and the predatory nature of those who seek to lead others astray 2 Peter 2:14.

Summary

In summary, G1185 provides a specific and vivid depiction of being trapped by bait. It is not just about temptation in a general sense, but about the active process of being lured and deluded, either by one's own forbidden desires or by the calculated deceptions of others. The term serves as a stark warning about the internal and external forces that work to entrap a person in sin and error.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 2 Peter (2 verses); never once in the other 25.

James

2 Peter

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.