Introduction
Understanding Greek verbs is essential for deepening one’s grasp of Biblical texts and ancient Greek culture. The Greek verb ἐπαίρω (epairō), which means “to lift up” or “to raise,” holds significant importance in both secular and religious contexts. In the New Testament, it appears in a variety of situations, from describing physical actions to metaphorical uses, such as lifting up one’s soul or eyes. Studying this word helps us appreciate its diverse implications and its relevance to themes like faith, prayer, and divine intervention.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἐπαίρω, transliterated as epairō [eh-PIE-ro].
- Etymology: Derived from the prefix ἐπί (epi, meaning “upon” or “on”) and αἴρω (airō, meaning “to lift” or “to raise”).
- Part of Speech: Verb; active; primarily used in the present tense; middle/passive in some forms.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- To lift up, raise.
- To exalt, elevate in status.
- To raise up in pride or arrogance.
- To carry off, remove.
Similar Words: ἀναλαμβάνω (analambanō) [ah-nah-lam-BAH-noh] means “to take up” or “to receive up,” often used in contexts where something is taken up physically or metaphorically. ὑψόω (hypsóō) [hoop-SO-oh] means “to exalt” or “to lift up,” usually in a more metaphorical or spiritual sense, such as exalting someone’s position or status.
Further Insights: ἐπαίρω is an irregular verb and follows different conjugations depending on tense and voice. It is commonly found in its active forms but can appear in middle or passive forms, indicating the subject’s involvement or experience of being lifted up. Below is a simplified chart showing the present active and middle/passive conjugations:
| Tense/Voice | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Present Active | ἐπαίρω (epairō) | ἐπαίρομεν (epairomen) |
| Present Middle/Passive | ἐπαίρομαι (epairomai) | ἐπαίρονται (epairontai) |
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Lexicon Insights
BDAG: The lexicon defines ἐπαίρω as “to lift up” or “raise up,” noting its use in both literal and figurative contexts. It can refer to raising physical objects, lifting one’s voice in speech or song, or raising oneself up in pride or self-exaltation.
Thayers: Thayer’s lexicon emphasizes the different nuances of ἐπαίρω, highlighting its usage in raising objects, lifting up eyes or hands in prayer, and elevating oneself in a metaphorical sense. It is often associated with divine or spiritual contexts where elevation has a deeper symbolic meaning.
Vines: In Vines Expository Dictionary, ἐπαίρω is listed as “to lift up” with several examples from the New Testament where the term reflects both literal and metaphorical lifting. Vine notes the word’s spiritual implications, such as lifting one’s heart to God in worship or supplication.
LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon covers ἐπαίρω extensively, detailing its classical usage as “to raise” or “to elevate.” It notes its appearance in various Greek texts where it can signify anything from raising a physical object to raising a moral or emotional state.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Identifies ἐπαίρω as coming from ἐπί and αἴρω, meaning “to raise up” or “lift.” It is used in several contexts in the New Testament to signify a literal or figurative lifting.
Related Scripture References
- Mark 6:41: “And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.”
- Luke 16:23: “And in hell he lift up (ἐπαίρω) his eyes, being in torments, and sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
- John 17:1: “These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up (ἐπαίρω) his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text with Greek Word in Parentheses |
|---|---|---|
| Homer | Iliad | “He raised (ἐπαίρω) his hands to the heavens in supplication.” |
| Herodotus | Histories | “The king raised (ἐπαίρω) his voice to address the people.” |
| Thucydides | History of the Peloponnesian War | “He sought to elevate (ἐπαίρω) the morale of his troops.” |
| Septuagint Example | Psalms | “I will lift up (ἐπαίρω) mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.” |
| Septuagint Example | 1 Kings | “And Solomon raised (ἐπαίρω) his hands toward heaven in prayer.” |
| Septuagint Example | Isaiah | “Lift up (ἐπαίρω) your eyes and see who has created these things.” |
Summary of ἐπαίρω (G1869: Epairō)
The verb ἐπαίρω (epairō) is a versatile term in both New Testament and classical Greek literature, meaning “to lift up” or “to raise.” It is used to describe a variety of actions, from physically lifting objects to metaphorically raising one’s spirit or eyes. Its frequent appearance in spiritual and prayerful contexts highlights its importance in both religious and secular settings. By understanding ἐπαίρω, we gain insight into the expressions of humility, pride, supplication, and divine exaltation in ancient Greek thought and biblical texts.
Did You Know?
Did you know that ἐπαίρω is often used in the context of prayer and worship in the New Testament, symbolizing an upward focus towards God? In ancient Greek culture, lifting up hands or eyes was not just a physical gesture but an act of reaching out for divine connection and intervention.
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