The Greek verb ἀναφέρω (anapherō) means “to bring up,” “to carry up,” or “to present.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root φέρω (pherō), meaning “to carry” or “to bear.” The term generally refers to the act of bringing something up to a higher place or presenting it, often in the context of an offering or a report.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀναφέρω (G399) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of bringing something up or presenting it. For example, in Mark 7:32, it refers to the act of bringing a deaf man to Jesus, indicating the act of presenting or offering someone for healing. Similarly, in Hebrews 13:15, it is used in the context of presenting or offering sacrifices of praise to God.

The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides further detail by noting that ἀναφέρω involves the act of carrying or presenting something, particularly in the context of offerings or reports. BDAG highlights its use in contexts where something is brought up or presented to a higher authority or for a specific purpose, reflecting a formal or ritualistic act.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this understanding by describing ἀναφέρω as relating to the act of bringing something up or presenting it, often in a context of offering or reporting. The lexicon emphasizes its use in various contexts where the presentation or elevation of something is the focus.

In summary, ἀναφέρω primarily means “to bring up,” “to carry up,” or “to present,” reflecting the act of elevating or offering something. This meaning is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing acts of presentation and elevation in biblical and classical Greek literature.