Pronunciation Guide: ah-nah-bo-AH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G310: ἀναβοάω (anaboaó) describes an intense, often emotional cry or shout that rises up from deep within. It combines the preposition ἀνά (up, upward) with βοάω (to cry out), creating the picture of a cry that ascends with urgency and volume. This compound word emphasizes both the direction (upward) and the intensity of the vocalization, often used in contexts of deep distress or desperate prayer.

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Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (compound)
• Root words: ἀνά (up) + βοάω (to cry out)
• Primary usage in narrative sections
• Appears in emotionally charged contexts
• Often used in prayer or supplication scenarios

ἀναβοάω Morphology:

• ἀναβοάω (present active indicative) – I cry out loudly
• ἀνεβόησα (aorist active indicative) – I cried out loudly
• ἀναβοήσας (aorist active participle) – having cried out loudly
• ἀναβοῶν (present active participle) – crying out loudly

Origin & History

The compound verb ἀναβοάω emerged from classical Greek literature where it was used to describe intense public proclamations and emotional outbursts. In works like Xenophon’s Anabasis, it appears in military contexts where commanders would shout orders or soldiers would cry out in battle. The Septuagint (LXX) adopts this word in similarly dramatic contexts, such as in Genesis 27:38 where Esau “cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry” upon learning of Jacob’s deception.

The early church fathers, particularly Chrysostom in his homilies on Matthew, emphasize this word’s usage in Matthew 27:46 as particularly significant, noting how it captures the depth of the Messiah’s suffering and the cosmic significance of His cry from the cross.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• An urgent, emotionally charged cry directed upward
• A loud public proclamation or announcement
• An anguished shout expressing deep distress
• A powerful prayer or supplication rising to heaven

ἀναβοάω Translation Options:

• “To cry out loudly” – Emphasizes the volume and intensity
• “To shout upward” – Highlights the directional aspect
• “To exclaim with anguish” – Captures the emotional content
• “To call out desperately” – Conveys the urgent nature
• “To lift up one’s voice” – Reflects the Hebrew idiom influence

Biblical Usage

The most profound usage of ἀναβοάω appears in Matthew 27:46, where Yeshua cries out “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” This heart-wrenching moment captures the pinnacle of His suffering and the depth of His identification with human anguish. The word choice here is particularly significant as it connects to various Psalms of lament, especially Psalm 22, showing how the Messiah’s cry fulfills and embodies the prophetic cry of David.

The term appears in several other significant contexts throughout Scripture, often in moments of deep distress or urgent prayer:

• “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out [ἀναβοήσας] with a loud voice” Matthew 27:46 crying out with a loud voice
• “And they all cried out [ἀνεβόησαν] together” Mark 15:8 crying out together
• “When he heard this, he cried out [ἀναβοήσας]” Luke 9:38 crying out in desperation

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, crying out to God was a deeply significant act, often accompanied by tearing one’s garments, placing ashes on one’s head, or falling prostrate. The upward direction implied in ἀναβοάω reflects the Jewish understanding of God dwelling in the highest heaven (shamayim), while also acknowledging His ability to hear even the faintest cry from earth. This connects to the Hebrew concept of “za’ak” (זעק), a cry of distress that was believed to ascend directly to God’s throne.

The public nature of such cries also carried cultural significance in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. In the marketplace or temple courts, a loud cry would draw immediate attention and often signaled either a proclamation of importance or a plea for justice, similar to how the prophets would cry out in public spaces.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀναβοάω in Matthew 27:46 carries profound theological implications. It represents the moment when the Son experienced the ultimate separation from the Father, bearing the full weight of human sin. This cry becomes a bridge between divine transcendence and human suffering, showing how the Messiah fully entered into human experience, including its darkest moments.

The word also connects to the broader biblical theme of God hearing and responding to the cries of His people. From Israel’s bondage in Egypt to individual psalms of lament, the Scripture consistently presents יהוה (Yahweh) as a God who hears elevated cries and responds with covenant faithfulness. The Messiah’s use of this word from the cross transforms it into a symbol of hope – even in moments of deepest darkness, our cries reach heaven’s throne.

Personal Application

When we feel abandoned or in deep distress, ἀναβοάω reminds us that we serve a God who not only hears our desperate cries but who has Himself experienced the depths of human anguish. The Messiah’s cry from the cross sanctifies our own moments of desperate prayer, assuring us that no cry is too loud, too emotional, or too raw for God’s ears.

This word encourages us to bring our full range of emotions before God, knowing that He welcomes our authentic expressions of pain, fear, or desperation. Just as Yeshua’s cry led to ultimate victory, our cries to God can become turning points in our spiritual journey, moments where divine comfort meets human need.

Related Words

• βοάω (boaó) – to cry out, shout – A simpler form without the upward direction, often used in less intense situations. See G994
• κραυγάζω (kraugazó) – to cry out, scream – Emphasizes the harsh or rough quality of the cry. See G2905
• κράζω (krazó) – to cry out, scream – Often used for inarticulate cries or animal sounds. See G2896
• φωνέω (phóneó) – to call, summon – A more controlled form of vocal expression. See G5455

Did you Know?

• The compound structure of ἀναβοάω (ana + boaó) mirrors similar formations in modern Greek where adding “ana-” to a verb often intensifies its meaning, showing the enduring influence of ancient Greek word formation patterns.
• In ancient Greek theaters, actors would practice ἀναβοάω techniques to project their voices upward into the highest rows of the amphitheater, demonstrating the word’s connection to both volume and upward direction.
• The Septuagint’s use of ἀναβοάω often corresponds to the Hebrew verb “za’ak” (זעק), which appears in numerous psalms and prophetic texts, creating a linguistic bridge between Hebrew and Greek expressions of intense emotion in prayer.

Remember This

ἀναβοάω stands as an eternal echo of both divine suffering and divine comfort, reminding us that our deepest cries reach the highest heaven, where they are heard by a God who has Himself cried out in human anguish.