"to force, compel, Acts 28:19; to constrain, urge, Lk. 14:23"
Definition and meaning
to force, compel, Acts 28:19; to constrain, urge, Lk. 14:23
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀναγκάζω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of anankazo (G315) across the King James Bible.
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
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Common questions
Strong's G315 (anankazo) is a Greek word that means: to force, compel, Acts 28:19; to constrain, urge, Lk. 14:23 It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word anankazo (G315) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G315 is anankazo, a Greek word defined as: to force, compel, Acts 28:19; to constrain, urge, Lk. 14:23. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
anankazo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.