Word Study for G1670 (ἑλκύω)

helkýō /hel'-ko/ Ask about this word

Rootprobably akin to αἱρέομαι

Meaningto drag (literally or figuratively)

KJV usagedraw. Compare ἑλίσσω.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of helkýō — 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 helkýō, represented by G1670, means to drag or draw, both literally and figuratively. It appears 8 times in 8 unique verses of the Bible. The word conveys a sense of pulling, whether it is a physical object like a net, a weapon being drawn, or the spiritual drawing of a person toward God.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1670 is used to describe both divine action and human force. Theologically, it is used to describe the Father drawing individuals to Christ as a prerequisite for salvation John 6:44. Jesus also uses the term, stating that when he is "lifted up from the earth," he will draw all men to himself John 12:32. In a more literal and forceful sense, the word describes the physical act of dragging people. Rich men are depicted as those who draw the poor before judgment seats James 2:6, and hostile crowds drew Paul and Silas into the marketplace Acts 16:19. It is also used for drawing a sword John 18:10 and for the great effort of hauling a net full of fish (John 21:6, John 21:11).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which G1670 appears:

G1949 epilambánomai (to seize... catch, lay hold upon): This word often precedes the act of dragging. In Acts, opponents first caught Paul and Silas before they drew them before the rulers Acts 16:19.
G2616 katadynasteúō (to exercise dominion against, i.e. oppress): This highlights the malicious intent behind some forms of drawing. Rich men oppress the poor and draw them to court James 2:6.
G5312 hypsóō (to elevate... exalt, lift up): This term is linked to the spiritual power of drawing. Christ states that if he is lifted up, he will draw all men to himself John 12:32.
G3817 paíō (to hit... smite, strike): This describes the action that can follow the drawing of a weapon. Peter drew his sword and then smote the high priest's servant John 18:10.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1670 is significant, particularly in its figurative uses.

Divine Initiative in Salvation: The statement that no one can come to Christ unless the Father draws him establishes God's essential and primary role in a person's salvation John 6:44.
The Power of the Cross: Christ's ability to draw all people is directly connected to His being "lifted up," a reference to His crucifixion and exaltation. This act is the magnetic center of salvation history John 12:32.
Spiritual Drawing vs. Physical Coercion: The word's usage starkly contrasts the Father's spiritual drawing with the violent, oppressive dragging of humans by other humans, such as taking apostles before rulers Acts 16:19 or the poor before judgment seats James 2:6.

Summary

In summary, G1670 is a dynamic verb that encompasses a range of actions from physical force to profound spiritual influence. It captures the literal effort of pulling a heavy net, the sudden violence of drawing a sword, and the oppressive act of dragging someone to judgment. Most importantly, it serves as a key theological term to describe the divine power by which God the Father and the exalted Christ bring individuals to salvation.

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 8 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Future Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".

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

John

Acts

James

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.