Strong's Lexicon anóthen: from above, again, anew Original Word: ἄνωθεν Word Origin: From ἄνω (anō), meaning "above" or "up" Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "anóthen," the concept of divine origin or renewal can be related to Hebrew words like שָׁמַיִם (shamayim, Strong's H8064) meaning "heavens" or חָדָשׁ (chadash, Strong's H2319) meaning "new." Usage: The Greek adverb "anóthen" primarily means "from above" and is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of origin or source, particularly in a spiritual or divine context. It can also mean "again" or "anew," indicating a repetition or renewal. The dual meaning is significant in theological discussions, especially in the context of spiritual rebirth. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of something coming "from above" often implied divine origin or authority. This understanding is reflected in the New Testament, where "anóthen" is used to describe spiritual truths or events that originate from God. The term also carries the idea of renewal or starting over, which was a common theme in various religious and philosophical traditions of the time. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anó Definition from above NASB Translation above (5), again (2), all over (1), beginning (1), long time (1), top (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 509: ἄνωθενἄνωθεν (ἄνω), adverb; a. from above, from a higher place: ἀπό ἄνωθεν (Winer's Grammar, § 50, 7 N. 1), Matthew 27:51 (Tdf. omits ἀπό); Mark 15:38; ἐκ τῶν ἄνωθεν from the upper part, from the top, John 19:23. Often (also in Greek writings) used of things which come from heaven, or from God as dwelling in heaven: John 3:31; John 19:11; James 1:17; James 3:15, 17. b. from the first: Luke 1:3; then, from the beginning on, from the very first: Acts 26:5. Hence, c. anew, over again, indicating repetition (a use somewhat rare, but wrongly denied by many (Meyer among them; cf. his commentary on John and Galatians as below)): John 3:3, 7 ἄνωθεν γεννηθῆναι, where others explain it from above, i. e. from heaven. But, according to this explanation, Nicodemus ought to have wondered how it was possible for anyone to be born from heaven; but this he did not say; (cf. Westcott, Commentary on John, p. 63). Of the repetition of physical birth, we read in Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 1, 13 (14), p. 18 (i., p. 26, Reiff edition) (ἀνδρί) ἔτι τῷ ἔχοντι ἐγκυον γυναῖκα σημαίνει παῖδα αὐτῷ γεννήσεσθαι ὅμοιον κατά πάντα. οὕτω γάρ ἄνωθεν αὐτός δοξειε γέννασθαι; cf. Josephus, Antiquities 1, 18, 3 φιλίαν ἄνωθεν ποιεῖσθαι, where a little before stands πρότερα φιλία; add, Martyr. Polycarp, 1, 1 [ET]; (also Socrates in Stobaeus, flor. cxxiv. 41, iv. 135, Meineke edition (iii. 438, Gaisf. edition); Harpocration, Lex., see under the words, ἀναδικάσασθαι, ἀναθέσθαι, ἀναποδιζομενα, ἀνασυνταξις; Canon. apost. 46 (others 39, Coteler. patr. apost. works, i. 444); Pseudo-Basil, de bapt. 1, 2, 7 (iii. 1537); Origen in Joann. t. xx. c. 12 (works, iv. 322 c. DelaRue). See Abbot, Authorship of the Fourth Gospel, etc. (Boston 1880), p. 34f). πάλιν ἄνωθεν, (on this combination of synonymous words cf. Kühner, § 534, 1; (Jelf, § 777, 1); Grimm on Sap. xix. 5 (6)): Galatians 4:9 (again, since ye were in bondage once before). From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew -- from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top. see GREEK ano Englishman's Concordance Matthew 27:51 AdvGRK: ἐσχίσθη ἀπ' ἄνωθεν ἕως κάτω NAS: in two from top to bottom; KJV: twain from the top to the bottom; INT: was torn from top to bottom Mark 15:38 Adv Luke 1:3 Adv John 3:3 Adv John 3:7 Adv John 3:31 Adv John 19:11 Adv John 19:23 Adv Acts 26:5 Adv Galatians 4:9 Adv James 1:17 Adv James 3:15 Adv James 3:17 Adv |