The Greek verb ἀναφωνέω (anaphōneō) means “to call out,” “to shout,” or “to cry out.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root φωνέω (phōneō), meaning “to sound” or “to voice.” The term generally refers to making a loud vocal expression or proclamation, often in a public or dramatic context.
Detailed Overview
According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀναφωνέω (G400) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of calling out or shouting loudly. For example, in Mark 15:34, it is used to describe Jesus’ loud cry on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This usage reflects the term’s connotation of a vocal, often intense, outcry.
The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon further elaborates on ἀναφωνέω by noting its use in contexts where a loud or emphatic vocal expression is involved. BDAG highlights that the term is associated with significant vocal expressions, such as shouting or crying out, and is used in situations where strong vocal emphasis is required.
The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this understanding, describing ἀναφωνέω as involving the act of calling out or shouting with intensity. The lexicon emphasizes its application in contexts where a loud or forceful vocalization is made, whether in public proclamation or intense emotional expression.
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In summary, ἀναφωνέω primarily means “to call out,” “to shout,” or “to cry out,” reflecting actions of making loud and emphatic vocal expressions. This interpretation is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing intense vocal expressions in biblical and classical Greek literature.
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