Brief Overview of ἀνάστασις (Strong’s G386:)

The Greek noun ἀνάστασις (anastasis) means “resurrection” or “standing up.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root στάσις (stasis), meaning “to stand.” The term primarily refers to the act of rising from the dead or the state of being resurrected, but it can also denote a rising or standing up in a more general sense.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνάστασις (G386) is most commonly used to refer to “resurrection,” particularly in the context of rising from the dead. For instance, it is used in Matthew 22:31 to describe the resurrection of the dead, indicating a return to life after death. The term emphasizes the concept of being raised up from a state of death to life.

The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon expands on this by noting that ἀνάστασις specifically denotes the resurrection, especially in a religious or theological context. BDAG highlights its use in discussing the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus and the future resurrection of believers, emphasizing the transformation from death to life.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon provides additional context by describing ἀνάστασις as referring to a standing up or rising, with a strong emphasis on its use in the context of resurrection. The lexicon notes that the term can be applied both to physical resurrection and to more general instances of rising or standing up.

In summary, ἀνάστασις primarily means “resurrection” or “standing up,” with a focus on rising from the dead in a theological context. This understanding is supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing insights into its use in biblical and classical Greek literature.