### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb κατάγω (katágō), Strong's `{{G2609}}`, is a compound word derived from the preposition κατά (katá), meaning "down" or "against," and the verb ἄγω (ágō), meaning "to lead" or "to bring." Its fundamental sense is "to lead down" or "to bring down." While this core meaning encompasses any action of leading or bringing something or someone to a lower position or a specific destination, its most prominent and specialized usage in the New Testament, particularly in maritime contexts, is "to bring a ship to land," "to moor a vessel," or "to put in at a port." This specific nuance reflects the common experience of sailing vessels being "brought down" or "led down" to the shore or harbor. The semantic range thus extends from a general sense of downward movement to the highly specific act of disembarking from a ship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb κατάγω appears frequently in the New Testament, almost exclusively in the Book of Acts, where it predominantly describes the conclusion of sea voyages. This usage highlights the practical realities of travel and the movement of early Christian missionaries.
For instance, in Acts, the term is repeatedly employed to signify the act of a ship arriving at its destination:
* In [[Acts 21:3]], Paul's ship "put in" (κατηγάγομεν) at Tyre, marking the end of a leg of their journey.
* Similarly, [[Acts 27:3]] states that "we put in" (κατήχθημεν) at Sidon, indicating a stop during a difficult voyage.
* The arrival at Malta after the shipwreck is described in [[Acts 28:12]]: "we put in" (κατήχθημεν) at Syracuse.
* In [[Acts 28:13]], after sailing from Syracuse, they "put in" (κατήχθημεν) at Rhegium, and then at Puteoli.
Beyond maritime contexts, the verb can also denote bringing a person or object down to a specific place, though this is less common. For example, in [[Romans 10:6]], in a rhetorical question concerning righteousness by faith, Paul quotes Deuteronomy: "Who will descend into the abyss?" (τίς καταβήσεται εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον;), though here the verb is καταβαίνω (katabainō), not κατάγω. κατάγω itself is not used in this metaphorical sense in the New Testament. Its primary function remains descriptive of physical movement, particularly the crucial act of a ship reaching its port.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of κατάγω is enriched by examining its relationship with other Greek terms and concepts:
* **ἄγω (ágō)** `{{G71}}`: As the root verb, ἄγω means "to lead" or "to bring." κατάγω specifies the direction of this leading as "down."
* **ἀνάγω (anágō)** `{{G321}}`: This verb is the semantic opposite of κατάγω, meaning "to lead up" or, in maritime contexts, "to put out to sea" or "to set sail." The juxtaposition of ἀνάγω (departure) and κατάγω (arrival) paints a complete picture of ancient sea travel, as seen, for example, in the sequence of Paul's journeys.
* **πλέω (pleō)** `{{G4131}}`: "To sail." This general term for sailing activity is often found alongside κατάγω, describing the mode of travel that concludes with the ship being brought to land.
* **ἀποπλέω (apopleō)** `{{G622}}`: "To sail away." Similar to ἀνάγω, this term denotes the commencement of a voyage.
* **προσορμίζω (prostormizō)** `{{G4351}}`: "To moor at" or "to bring to anchor." This verb shares a similar meaning to the specialized use of κατάγω in maritime contexts, emphasizing the act of securing a ship at its destination.
* **Concepts:** The frequent use of κατάγω underscores themes of travel, journey, divine guidance in missionary endeavors, and the providential arrival at specific locations for the unfolding of God's plan.
### Theological Significance
While κατάγω is primarily a descriptive verb of action, its consistent use in the narrative of Acts carries implicit theological weight. It highlights the tangible, physical realities through which the Gospel spread. The repeated "bringing to land" of Paul and his companions signifies:
* **Divine Orchestration of Journeys:** The safe arrival of vessels, despite storms and perils (e.g., [[Acts 27]]), implicitly points to God's guiding hand, ensuring His servants reach their appointed places for ministry. The successful "bringing down" to a port is often a testament to divine preservation.
* **Completion of Phases of Ministry:** Each instance of "bringing to land" marks the successful conclusion of a leg of a missionary journey, allowing for the next phase of preaching, teaching, or fellowship to begin. It underscores the progressive nature of the early church's expansion.
* **The Practicality of the Incarnation and Mission:** The spread of the Gospel was not merely a spiritual phenomenon but involved arduous physical travel. κατάγω grounds the divine mission in the earthly realities of human movement and navigation, reminding us that God works through the practicalities of life.
* **Arrival and Opportunity:** The act of landing often precedes significant events, such as Paul's preaching in synagogues or his encounters with local believers. Thus, κατάγω can be seen as a precursor to divine opportunity and the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes in new territories.
### Summary
κατάγω (katágō), Strong's `{{G2609}}`, fundamentally means "to lead down" or "to bring down." In the New Testament, its most prevalent and specialized usage is in the context of sea travel, where it signifies "to bring a ship to land," "to moor," or "to put in at a port." This verb is crucial in the Book of Acts, vividly depicting the conclusion of apostolic voyages, such as Paul's arrivals at various cities. Its contextual analysis reveals its role in describing the practicalities of ancient travel. When viewed alongside related terms like ἀνάγω (to set sail) and πλέω (to sail), κατάγω completes the picture of maritime journeys. Theologically, its consistent use in accounts of safe arrivals implicitly underscores divine guidance and protection in missionary endeavors, marking the completion of journey phases and the opening of new opportunities for the Gospel's spread.
TRV