Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial as it opens up a more profound comprehension of the Scriptures. The Greek word ζῳοποιέω (zōopoieō), meaning “to make alive” or “to give life,” is particularly significant in theological discussions surrounding the New Testament. This word encapsulates key themes of spiritual regeneration, resurrection, and divine empowerment. It is foundational for understanding the nature of life as given by God, both in a physical and spiritual sense, and holds rich connotations in both Biblical and ancient Greek cultural contexts.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ζῳοποιέω (zōopoieō), pronounced [zo-oh-poi-EH-oh].
- Etymology: Derived from the Greek roots ζῷον (zōion), meaning “living being,” and ποιέω (poieō), meaning “to make” or “to do.”
- Part of Speech: Verb; present active indicative.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- To make alive: Refers to giving life or making something that was dead alive again.
- To quicken: Often used in a metaphorical sense to describe spiritual regeneration or revival.
- To vivify: A less common translation that emphasizes the action of imparting life or vitality.
Similar Words: ἀναζωπυρέω (anazōpyreō), pronounced [ah-nah-zoh-poo-REH-oh], meaning “to rekindle” or “to revive,” is related but distinct from ζῳοποιέω in that it emphasizes reigniting or bringing back a state that once was. ἀναβιόω (anabioō), pronounced [ah-nah-BEE-oh-oh], meaning “to come back to life,” also shares a similar context but is more focused on the process of resurrection rather than the active imparting of life.
Further Insights: ζῳοποιέω is a compound verb combining ζῷον (zōion) and ποιέω (poieō). It appears in several forms depending on the grammatical context. Here is a table showing its full declension in the present tense:
| Tense | Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | 1st | ζῳοποιῶ | ζῳοποιοῦμεν |
| Present | 2nd | ζῳοποιεῖς | ζῳοποιεῖτε |
| Present | 3rd | ζῳοποιεῖ | ζῳοποιοῦσιν |
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Lexicon Insights
BDAG: The term ζῳοποιέω is used to mean “to cause to live” or “to give life,” specifically referring to the transformative action of God or the Spirit in bringing life to what was dead, both literally (as in resurrection) and metaphorically (spiritual revival).
Thayers: Describes ζῳοποιέω as “to make alive, give life,” used predominantly in contexts involving divine intervention, such as resurrection from the dead or spiritual regeneration.
Vines: Interprets ζῳοποιέω in its active sense, where the divine agent, whether Christ or the Spirit, imparts life. This term is often associated with the concept of “quickening” or bringing to life what is spiritually or physically dead.
LSJ: Primarily translates ζῳοποιέω as “to make alive,” also noting its use in philosophical contexts where it refers to giving life or energizing.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines ζῳοποιέω as “to make alive,” noting its appearances in Biblical passages that discuss resurrection and spiritual life, highlighting its importance in discussions on the power of God and the Holy Spirit.
Related Scripture References
- John 5:21: “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life [ζῳοποιεῖ] to whom He wishes.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:22: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive [ζῳοποιηθήσονται].”
- Romans 8:11: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life [ζῳοποιήσει] to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | Laws | “The lawgiver must strive to make alive [ζῳοποιῆσαι] the customs of the state, giving them vitality.” |
| Philo | On the Creation | “God alone is the one who has the power to make alive [ζῳοποιεῖν] and to heal the soul.” |
| Epictetus | Discourses | “It is the mind that makes alive [ζῳοποιεῖ] the virtues, stirring them from within.” |
| Septuagint | Psalm 119:50 | “This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has quickened [ζῳοποιήσας] me.” |
| Septuagint | Ezekiel 37:5 | “Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life [ζῳοποιηθῆτε].'” |
| Septuagint | 1 Samuel 2:6 | “The Lord kills and makes alive [ζῳοποιεῖ]; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.” |
Summary of ζῳοποιέω (G2227: zōopoieō)
The Greek word ζῳοποιέω (zōopoieō) means “to make alive” or “to quicken.” It carries profound theological significance in both the New Testament and early Christian writings, frequently appearing in contexts related to resurrection, spiritual regeneration, and divine life-giving power. The term is primarily used to describe God’s action, whether it be raising the dead or imparting spiritual life to believers. It holds a rich background in classical and philosophical texts, where it is often associated with divine or metaphysical empowerment. Understanding ζῳοποιέω deepens our grasp of God’s transformative power as portrayed in the Scriptures.
Did You Know?
- The term ζῳοποιέω is not just limited to literal resurrection; it is often used metaphorically to signify spiritual renewal and rebirth.
- In classical Greek literature, ζῳοποιέω sometimes described the life-giving power of gods, hinting at the profound role of divine beings in ancient Greek religion.
- The concept of ζῳοποιέω also influenced early Christian theology on resurrection and the Holy Spirit’s regenerative work in believers’ lives.
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