The Greek verb helkyō (also spelled elkō) means to draw, pull, or drag — with a range of senses from gentle drawing to forceful dragging. In the physical sense it is used of drawing water (John 4:7 variant) or dragging nets (John 21:6,11). Its most profound theological use is in John's Gospel for God's drawing of people to Christ.
John 6:44 is the locus classicus: 'No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws (helkyō) him.' John 12:32 expands this: 'And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw (helkyō) all people to myself.' Together these texts form a Johannine theology of divine initiative in salvation: coming to Christ requires the Father's drawing. This is not coercion — the same word can mean a gentle pull — but it is prior and necessary. The cross is the magnet: Christ lifted up in crucifixion becomes the universal drawing point for all humanity.