Word Study for G1624 (ἐκτρέπω)

ektrépō /ek-trep'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἐκ and the base of τροπή

Meaningto deflect, i.e. turn away (literally or figuratively)

KJV usageavoid, turn (aside, out of the way).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ektrépō — 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 ektrépō, represented by G1624, means to deflect or turn away, either literally or figuratively. It is defined as to "avoid, turn (aside, out of the way)." This term appears 6 times in 5 unique verses, often carrying a strong negative connotation of deviating from a correct path or truth.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1624 is used to illustrate a departure from truth and righteousness. The Apostle Paul employs it multiple times in his letters to Timothy, warning him to be "avoiding profane and vain babblings" 1 Timothy 6:20. He describes how some have already "turned aside unto vain jangling" 1 Timothy 1:6 or even "turned aside after Satan" 1 Timothy 5:15. In a different context, the author of Hebrews uses the term to admonish believers to make straight paths, lest the lame be "turned out of the way" Hebrews 12:13, connecting physical weakness to spiritual deviation. The word also describes a future action where people will be "turned unto fables" 2 Timothy 4:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the nature of what one turns away from or towards:

G795 astochéō (to miss the mark): This word is used alongside G1624 to describe those who, "having swerved have turned aside" 1 Timothy 1:6. It specifically means to deviate from truth.
G3454 mŷthos (fable): This is the destination for those who turn away from the truth. The warning is that they "shall be turned unto fables" 2 Timothy 4:4, indicating a turn towards fiction or myth.
G2757 kenophōnía (vain babblings): Believers are explicitly instructed to avoid this. It is defined as "empty sounding, i.e. fruitless discussion" and is linked with that which is profane 1 Timothy 6:20.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1624 is significant, highlighting the danger of spiritual and doctrinal deviation.

Warning Against False Teaching: The term is consistently used in the pastoral epistles to warn against turning away from truth. This deviation leads towards things like "vain jangling" 1 Timothy 1:6, "fables" 2 Timothy 4:4, and "science falsely so called" 1 Timothy 6:20.
The Spiritual Danger of Apostasy: Turning aside is not presented as a harmless error. It is a path that can ultimately lead one to follow "after Satan" 1 Timothy 5:15, indicating a complete change of allegiance from Christ to the accuser.
Responsibility for the Community: The use in Hebrews 12:13 extends the concept from personal error to communal responsibility. Believers are called to "make straight paths" so that the spiritually weak or "lame" are not "turned out of the way," but are instead healed.

Summary

In summary, G1624 ektrépō is more than a simple term for deflection. It serves as a potent biblical warning against straying from the path of truth and righteousness. Whether it is used to command avoidance of "profane and vain babblings" 1 Timothy 6:20 or to describe the tragic state of those who have "turned aside after Satan" 1 Timothy 5:15, the word consistently underscores the critical importance of spiritual steadfastness and doctrinal integrity. It is a call to actively guard one's faith and to help others avoid being turned aside.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 2×
2nd Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
2nd Future Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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 5 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Timothy (3 verses); never once in the other 24.

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Hebrews

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.