From the book
The Orphic Collection, Volume I: The Hymns
Attributed to Orpheus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordπελάζω describes coming near, with different forms fitting invitation, purpose and a completed approach.
- In the Orphic HymnsThe Eumenides and Dream are asked to approach with appropriate purposes (LXX.11; LXXXVI.17).
- TranslationAt LXXIII.1 the edition adopts πελάσαι ἡγήτορα, attributed to Wiel, against the difficult reported μεγαλανηγήτορα.
- A place to readAn approach from the ancestors, potentially unwelcome.
- English renderings
- draw near; approach
Meaning
πελάζω describes coming near, with different forms fitting invitation, purpose and a completed approach. An infinitive can express what the speaker calls upon a deity to do. The passive-shaped πελάσθη can have an intransitive “came near” force, so morphology alone does not require an outside agent who brought something close.
Use in the book
The Eumenides and Dream are asked to approach with appropriate purposes (LXX.11; LXXXVI.17). Their arrival is qualified by the disposition in which it occurs, not desired unconditionally. Daimon is likewise summoned to approach as a formidable leader (LXXIII.1). Death’s approach is deliberately delayed until after long life (LXXXVII.10). The Titans’ hymn provides the opposite perspective: something from chthonic ancestors may already have approached the houses, and the petition responds to that possibility (XXXVII.8). Proximity can therefore be welcome, dangerous or acceptable only at the right time. Translating every instance as a simple favourable “come” would flatten the distinction.
Places to read
- Hymn XXXVII · Line 8An approach from the ancestors, potentially unwelcome.
- Hymn LXX · Line 11Approach qualified by reverent purposes.
- Hymn LXXIII · Line 1The editorially adopted infinitive.
- Hymn LXXXVI · Line 17Dream’s favourable approach as a purpose.
- Hymn LXXXVII · Line 10Death asked to come only after long life.
Translation
At LXXIII.1 the edition adopts πελάσαι ἡγήτορα, attributed to Wiel, against the difficult reported μεγαλανηγήτορα. The adopted infinitive expressly supplies the requested approach. At XXXVII.8 reported οἴκοις ἐπελάσθη differs from printed οἴκοισι πελάσθη in the placement of the vowel at the word boundary; it does not justify inventing a different ancestral event.
Attested forms
πελάζειν; πελάζῃς; πελάσαι; πελάσθη
Occurrence inventory
5 in total. XXXVII.8; LXX.11; LXXIII.1; LXXXVI.17; LXXXVII.10