ἐξέλκ-ω G1828
to be dragged away, drawn out; pulled or lured away from a position or path
This verb means to be drawn or dragged away, often against resistance. James 1:14 warns that each person is tempted 'when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.' The term suggests being pulled from safety into danger. Classical usage included dragging things out, rescuing from slavery, or pulling along wounded persons. James uses hunting or fishing imagery: desire baits and hooks us, dragging us from righteousness toward sin. The passive voice shows we're acted upon by our own passions.
Senses
1. sense 1 — James 1:14 describes temptation's mechanism: each one is 'drawn away' (ἐξελκόμενος) by their own desire and enticed. The present passive participle suggests ongoing vulnerability to being pulled off course. This is fishing/hunting imagery: desire baits the hook, then drags the victim away. Spanish siendo arrastrado captures the dragging force. Classical usage for dragging wounded men or pulling from captivity adds pathos. James locates temptation's source not externally but internally: our own desires lure and drag us toward sin. 1×
AR["مُنجَذِبًا"]·ben["টানা-হয়ে"]·DE["fortgezogen"]·EN["being-dragged-away"]·FR["ἐξελκόμενος"]·heb["נִמְשָׁךְ"]·HI["खिंचकर"]·ID["ditarik"]·IT["exelkomenos"]·jav["kenarik"]·KO["끌려가고"]·PT["sendo-arrastado"]·RU["увлекаемый"]·ES["siendo-arrastrado"]·SW["akivutwa"]·TR["sürüklenip"]·urd["کھینچا-جاتا"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐξέλκ-ω, future -έλξωRefs 5th c.BC+: aorist 1 -είλκῠσ; infinitive -ελκύσαιRefs:—passive, -ελκυσθῇRefs 5th c.BC+:— draw, drag out, Refs 8th c.BC+; φάσγανον.. ἐ. κολεοῦ Refs 5th c.BC+; Ἑλλάδ᾽ ἐ. δουλίας rescue from slavery, Refs 5th c.BC+; δύστηνον ἐ. πόδα, of a lame man, Refs 5th c.BC+ of one wounded, Refs 5th c.BC+; ἐξελκύσαι τὴν πᾶσιν Εἰρήνην φίλην drag her out of the cave, Refs; rare in Prose, as Refs 5th c.BC+