ἐγγρᾰφ-ω G1449
to write in, inscribe, engrave; to record permanently, especially in metaphorical registers of belonging
The compound verb ἐγγράφω (ἐν + γράφω) means to write or inscribe in or on something—to mark permanently in a register, on a surface, or metaphorically in hearts. Biblical usage emphasizes permanent recording: names written in heaven's ledgers, laws inscribed on hearts. The act of engraving or registering creates lasting, authoritative record—what is ἐγγεγραμμένον has been officially entered and remains inscribed.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In Luke 10:20 Jesus tells the seventy-two not to rejoice that demons submit to them, 'but rejoice that your names are written in heaven'—enrolled in God's permanent register. Second Corinthians 3:2 uses the metaphor of the living letter: 'You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.' Verse 3:3 continues: 'you show that you are a letter from Christ...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.' The French (inscrire, inscrit) and German (ἐνγέγραπται, ἐνγεγραμμένη [sic]) preserve the inscribing metaphor. The perfect passive tense emphasizes completed, permanent inscription—what has been written remains written, whether in heavenly books or transformed hearts. 3×
AR["المَكتوبَةُ", "مَكْتوبَةٌ"]·ben["লিখিত", "লিখিত,", "লেখা-আছে"]·DE["ἐνγέγραπται", "ἐνγεγραμμένη"]·EN["have-been-written", "having-been-inscribed"]·FR["inscrire", "inscrit"]·heb["כְּתוּבִים", "כְּתוּבָה"]·HI["जो-लिखी-गई", "जो-लिखी-है", "लिखे-हुए-हैं"]·ID["tertulis"]·IT["engegraptai", "registrare"]·jav["dipun-serat", "kaserat", "kaserat,"]·KO["기록되었다고", "기록된"]·PT["escrita"]·RU["написанное", "написаны"]·ES["están-escritos", "inscrita"]·SW["iliyoandikwa", "iliyoandikwa,", "yameandikwa"]·TR["bizim", "siz", "yazılmıştır"]·urd["لکھا-ہوا", "لکھے-گئے-ہیں"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐγγρᾰφ-ω, make incisions into, τὸ στέλεχος Refs 4th c.BC+ __2 mark in or on, paint on, ζῷα ἐς τὴν ἐσθῆτα ἐ. Refs 5th c.BC+; opposed to ἐξαλείφω, Refs 5th c.BC+ __3 engrave, inscribe, ἐν τῇσι στήλῃσι Refs 5th c.BC+: —middle, ἢν ἐγγράφου σὺ μνήμοσιν δέλτοις φρενῶν Refs 4th c.BC+:— passive, to be written in, ἐνεγέγραπτο δὲ τάδε ἐν αὐτῇ (i.e. τῇ ἐπιστολῇ) Refs 5th c.BC+; αὑτὸν εὗρεν ἐγγεγραμμένον…