Luke 5:4

Author's Intent/Bias

This verse is a classic example of how bias works, and how the traditional bias seems to always be away from primary and proper meanings.

The word ἄγρα is not commonly attested in Greek literature in the sense of fishing. The standard Greek term for fishing or a haul of fish is ἁλιεία (ἁλιεύω being "to fish"), while ἄγρα is predominantly associated with hunting on land—whether of animals, humans (metaphorically), or even abstract chasing/pursuits.

In poetical, parable, enigmatic, or riddle-like contexts, an extended meaning can obscure or undermine the intended effect of the original usage. These contexts often rely on precise, layered, and sometimes intentionally ambiguous language to evoke certain feelings, meanings, or imagery. If a term like ἄγρα is understood in its "extended" or overly literal sense (such as "catch of fish"), it can disrupt the nuance or metaphorical weight that the author is trying to convey.

For example, in a riddle or enigmatic poetry, the term ἄγρα might carry not only the idea of pursuit or hunting but also allude to broader themes, such as capture, or even reference a pursuit of something intangible or abstract.

In these cases, understanding the word as part of the contextual flow, with its original meaning (hunting or pursuit) and possible metaphoric resonance, is key. The artist or poet may rely on the audience's interpretive engagement, which can be lost if the word is reduced too narrowly or extended too literally.

Thus, in parable or riddle-like texts, it is best to preserve the original or suggestive meaning of the word and allow the context to reveal the full spectrum of its significance, rather than forcing an "extended" interpretation that may not align with the author’s intent.

The translation “Bring back up into the Height and loosen the Casting Nets of yourselves into a chase” for Luke 5:4 is not only lexically plausible, but also proper, based on LSJ entries for the critical Greek terms:

1. ἐπανάγαγε (2nd aor. act. imperat. of ἐπανάγω): While often rendered idiomatically as "put out [to sea]," the verb more generally means “bring up” or “lead back/up” ([LSJ, ἐπανάγω I.1–2]). This includes meanings such as:

   • bring up toward the light (Plato, Leg. 724a),

   • elevate or exalt (D. 60.9),

   • and put to sea (Hdt. 9.98), which may stem from the imagery of raising the sails and going into the open waters.
     The phrase εἰς τὸ βάθος is commonly rendered “into the deep,” but LSJ notes βάθος denotes "height or depth" depending on context ([LSJ, βάθος I]; cf. αἰθέρος βάθος, Eur. Med. 1297; Ταρτάρου βάθη, Aesch. Prom. 1029), indicating vertical dimension in either direction.

2. χαλάσατε (2nd aor. act. imperat. of χᾰλάω): This verb is widely attested with the sense loosen, slacken, let down, release ([LSJ, χαλάω I–III]), including:

   • slacken ropes, unstring bows, or lower sails (cf. A.R. 2.1264),

   • and metaphorically, relax the mind or remit emotions (Plato, Phd. 98d; Lg. 653c).
     Therefore, “loosen” here is not only permissible but primary.

3. εἰς ἄγραν: A prepositional phrase with ἄγρα in the accusative, meaning “into a hunt, pursuit, or chase” ([LSJ, ἄγρα, I–III]):

   • Notably, ἄγρα is used broadly of hunting (humans, animals, fish: see Hdt. 1.73; Eur. Supp. 885).

   • Therefore, εἰς ἄγραν may idiomatically indicate the action of catching fish — but the primary would be “into a chase.”