[Greek] πλανάω (planaō) [Latin] errare, [Latin] seducere: to go astray, to wander, to wander as a planet, to deceive , to be unfaithful, to err, to seduce, to be out of the way, to be led astray, to lead into error, to deceive oneself, to deviate; 52 scriptural references
A good shepherd cares for his flock
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term, used both in an active and passive form, primarily has the sense of to lead astray, to deceive, to go astray, and to wander about. In Greek mythology the ghost of Argus, pushed Io toward madness. In her efforts to escape, she wandered the world. Democritus, a pre-Socratic philosopher, once claimed folly is stupid. Folly is simply going against oneself or going against the gods. This leads to a moral (ethical) or spiritual wandering. In classical Greek tragedies and dramas, morally flawed characters are led into error, suspicion, madness, and tragedy. Vacillating or hesitant judgment leads to wandering and error. Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound 585 states “My far roaming wandering have taught me enough and I cannot discern how to escape my sufferings.” Plato’s Menexenus 247e states “Man is best prepared for life who makes all that concerns his welfare depend upon himself, rather than other men who rise and fall swaying up and down.” Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound 473 states “You have lost your wits and have gone astray!” Plato Statesman 263a states “We have already strayed away from our subject more than we want, and you wish us to wander still further afield?”
Old Testament: This term has the sense of to lead, to stray, to confuse, to cause to stagger, and to wander from the way. Interestingly, the passive sense of going astray pertains to transgressing the will of God. There is responsibility to God for these transgressions. Religious seduction leads to worship of idols and false gods. This is the work of false prophets and unfaithful rulers. Reference is also made to the Gentiles, lying prophets, or the whole people. Cursed be he who misleads a blind man on his way (Deut. 27:18). Wine leads astray the minds of all who drink it (Esdras A 3:18). No one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it (Isa 35:8). He sent them wandering through foreign lands (Sir.29:18). Ox or sheep driven astray (Deut.22:1). For dreams have lead me astray (Sir.34:7). Manasseh misled them into doing even greater evil than the nations (1 Jgs.21:9). He led the inhabitants of Jerusalem into idolatry and seduced Judah (2 Chr.21:11).
New Testament: The use of this term is characterized by a fusion of Hellenistic and Old Testament influences. Mention is made of the Israelites wandering about in the deserts and on the mountains, indicating the loss of a permanent dwelling. The sheep going astray indicate the backsliding of the hearers and unrighteous in the community. Wandering is also seen by those who have become slaves (being seduced) to various vices. Christians are presented without a shepherd and wandering and erring from doctrinal truth.
More notable scripture passages:
Mt.18:12: The disciples are instructed to seek and bring back into the fold the one who has strayed.
Mt. 18:13: There is joy to be found in finding the stray (lost) one.
Mt.22:29: You are misled because you do not know the scriptures that there is no marriage in heaven.
Jn.7:47: The Pharisee believe that the crowd is deceived for believing what is being said about Jesus.
1 Cor.15:33: Do not be led astray not realizing that bad company corrupts good morals.
Gal.6:7: Make no mistake. You will reap what you sow. Sowing flesh reaps corruption. Sowing for the Spirit reaps eternal life.
1Jn.1:8: We are deceiving ourselves if we say we are without sin. The truth is not in us.
Planets: This term, meaning wandering star, was first coined by the Ancient Greeks. These were celestial bodies moving across the sky, relative to the fixed stars. To the Greeks and Romans, there were seven known planets (the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn).
Conclusion:
Planet, planetary, error, err, seduce, seduction
It was interesting to discover the many nuanced senses of going astray in the Greek Hellenistic culture, ranging from tragic characters to going against the gods. To be honest, I am not too familiar with Greek mythology. I suppose, that at some level, mythology may represent some aspect of truth of human nature. In the Old Testament, I am probably not surprised to learn how man’s relationship with God was often characterized and defined by straying. We all are already aware of the image of the lost sheep. It was interesting to see how the New Testament illustrates this further with straying from doctrinal truth and being a slave to moral vices.
All of us are already aware that the planets move in their orbits. Like many things, we see this and just take it for granted. But many of us are probably not aware that these celestial bodies are precisely named because of this wandering movement. But then again, planets, sheep, and man have something in common. We are all wanderers.
Update:
Many of us are very worried and troubled by how our nation going is astray with so many disastrous policy decisions (censorship, banning, cancel culture, border crisis, partisan legislation (without Republican support), “infrastructure”, rising debt, packing the courts, abolishing the electoral college, “For the People Act”, and eventual “culture of death” agenda. (And it has only been a few months into the new administration).
To all fellow wanderers:
“They call me the wanderer, yeah the wanderer. I roam around around around.”
From the song The Wanderer by Dion