Word Study for G1806 (ἐξάγω)

exágō /ex-ag'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἐκ and ἄγω

Meaningto lead forth

KJV usagebring forth (out), fetch (lead) out.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of exágō — 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 exágō, represented by G1806, means to lead forth, bring forth, or fetch out. It is formed from the words ἐκ (out) and ἄγω (to lead). Appearing 18 times across 13 unique verses, it describes an act of guided deliverance or movement from one place to another.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1806 is central to the narrative of the Exodus, where God brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt Acts 13:17. This act forms the basis of the covenant God made with their fathers when He took them by the hand to lead them out Hebrews 8:9. The term also illustrates Christ's role as the Good Shepherd, who calls His own sheep by name and leadeth them out John 10:3. Furthermore, it signifies divine rescue, as when the Lord had brought Peter out of the prison Acts 12:17, and it marks the somber procession where Jesus was led... out to be crucified Mark 15:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the specific action of being led out:

G1544 ekbállō (to eject): This word implies a more forceful removal. In Acts, Paul contrasts being secretly thrust out (ekbállō) with the demand that the magistrates come and fetch them out (exágō) publicly Acts 16:37.
G1831 exérchomai (to issue): This verb often describes the act of going out under one's own power. After the Lord had brought Peter out G1806, Peter then departed (exérchomai) and went to another place Acts 12:17.
G4313 proporeúomai (to precede): This word highlights the aspect of guidance. The Israelites asked Aaron to make gods to go before (proporeúomai) them, because they did not know what had become of Moses, who brought them out (exágō) of Egypt Acts 7:40.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G1806 is demonstrated in several key themes:

Divine Deliverance: The word is foundational to the concept of redemption. God's action to lead Israel out of Egypt is a recurring symbol of His power to save His people from bondage (Acts 7:36, Hebrews 8:9). This theme is echoed in the deliverance of the apostles from prison by an angel Acts 5:19.
Personal Shepherding: In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses the term to describe His relationship with His followers. He is the shepherd who leadeth them out, signifying His personal care, guidance, and the call to follow Him into life John 10:3.
Transition to a New Reality: The act of being led out often precedes a significant event. Jesus led a blind man out of the town before healing him Mark 8:23 and led the disciples out to Bethany for His final blessing and ascension Luke 24:50. It marks a transition from one state to another under divine direction.

Summary

In summary, G1806 exágō is more than just a word for departure; it signifies a guided and purposeful movement initiated by a leader. It captures the essence of God's redemptive work, from the historical deliverance of Israel from Egypt to the personal shepherding of Christ. It consistently portrays a divine agent taking the initiative to lead forth individuals or a people from a state of confinement, danger, or old patterns into a new reality of freedom, safety, and blessing.

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

2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 5×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
2nd Aorist Active Imperative 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 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.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
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 13 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (8 verses); never once in the other 22.

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

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.