"to drive, urge forward, spur on, Lk. 8:29; Jas. 3:4; 2 Pet. 2:17; to impel a vessel by oars, to row, Mk. 6:48; Jn. 6:19*"
Definition and meaning
to drive, urge forward, spur on, Lk. 8:29; Jas. 3:4; 2 Pet. 2:17; to impel a vessel by oars, to row, Mk. 6:48; Jn. 6:19*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐλαύνω
Historical context
The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.
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 elauno (G1643) across the King James Bible.
And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
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Common questions
Strong's G1643 (elauno) is a Greek word that means: to drive, urge forward, spur on, Lk. 8:29; Jas. 3:4; 2 Pet. 2:17; to impel a vessel by oars, to row, Mk. 6:48; Jn. 6:19* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word elauno (G1643) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1643 is elauno, a Greek word defined as: to drive, urge forward, spur on, Lk. 8:29; Jas. 3:4; 2 Pet. 2:17; to impel a vessel by oars, to row, Mk. 6:48; Jn. 6:19*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
elauno is a Greek word found in the New Testament.