Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for grasping the deeper meanings of scripture. The Greek word ἐξεγείρω (exegeirō) is particularly significant because it often relates to spiritual awakening, resurrection, and stirring action, making it relevant to New Testament interpretation. Moreover, its use in ancient Greek culture also reflects various metaphorical and literal applications, offering insights into the linguistic nuances of the time.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἐξεγείρω, transliterated as exegeirō [ex-e-GAY-ro]
- Etymology: Derived from the prefix ἐκ (ek, “out of”) and the verb ἐγείρω (egeirō, “to awaken” or “to raise”). It conveys the idea of awakening someone or something from a state of sleep or inactivity.
- Part of Speech: Verb (used in various forms depending on the tense, voice, and mood).
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- To awaken or rouse from sleep.
- To stir up, incite, or provoke to action.
- To raise up, especially in the context of resurrection or spiritual awakening.
Similar Words: ἐγείρω (egeirō) [e-GAY-ro] – While both ἐξεγείρω and ἐγείρω involve waking or raising, ἐξεγείρω has a stronger connotation of stirring or provoking out of a state, often implying a more forceful or intentional action.
Further Insights: The verb ἐξεγείρω is used primarily in the New Testament to describe awakening or stirring someone up, often from sleep or inactivity. Its usage spans both literal contexts, such as waking from sleep, and metaphorical ones, such as being spiritually awakened or incited to action. The compound prefix ἐκ intensifies the verb’s meaning, suggesting a motion or action coming out from a state of rest or inactivity.
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Lexicon Insights
BDAG: ἐξεγείρω is defined as “to wake up” or “to rouse someone from sleep,” and by extension, “to stir up” or “to incite to action.” It is often used metaphorically to imply a spiritual or emotional awakening.
Thayers: Emphasizes ἐξεγείρω as meaning “to awaken” or “to raise up.” The word carries the idea of moving someone or something from a state of inactivity to action, whether physically or metaphorically.
Vines: Discusses ἐξεγείρω in terms of stirring up or provoking action. It may denote waking from literal sleep or suggest an inner awakening to a new state of consciousness or spiritual awareness.
LSJ: In classical Greek, ἐξεγείρω is often translated as “to rouse,” “to wake up,” or “to incite.” It appears frequently in both literal and figurative contexts, where someone or something is being moved from dormancy or sleep to action.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists ἐξεγείρω as “to arouse,” “to awaken,” or “to raise up,” often implying an active or intentional awakening, whether from physical sleep or metaphorical slumber.
Related Scripture References
- Romans 9:17: “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up [ἐξεγείρω] for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’”
- Matthew 1:24: “And Joseph, being aroused [ἐξεγείρω] from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | Republic | “The philosopher is stirred (ἐξεγείρω) to seek truth beyond the material realm.” |
| Xenophon | Cyropaedia | “Cyrus roused (ἐξεγείρω) his men to fight bravely against the overwhelming odds.” |
| Aristophanes | The Clouds | “He sought to awaken (ἐξεγείρω) the crowd to action through his stirring speech.” |
Summary of ἐξεγείρω (G1825: exegeirō)
The Greek word ἐξεγείρω (Strong’s G1825) is a verb that carries the meanings of “to awaken,” “to stir up,” or “to incite.” It is used in both literal and metaphorical senses in the New Testament, often denoting a call to action or a spiritual awakening. Understanding this word provides valuable insight into how New Testament writers conveyed urgency, action, and divine intervention. Its usage in classical Greek literature also reveals its versatility in conveying both physical and metaphorical awakenings.
Did You Know?
The word ἐξεγείρω appears in a variety of New Testament contexts, from describing Joseph’s awakening from sleep to comply with divine commands, to referring to God’s act of raising up Pharaoh to demonstrate His power. This range of usage underscores its significance in conveying both literal and spiritual awakenings, illustrating the power of divine intervention and the call to action in Christian theology.
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