Pronunciation Guide: an-at-el’-lo (ἀν-ατ-έλ-λω)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G393: ἀνατέλλω (anatellō) describes the action of rising up, specifically referring to the rising of heavenly bodies like the sun, stars, or light. In biblical usage, it carries profound metaphorical significance, representing divine revelation, spiritual awakening, and the manifestation of God’s glory. The word beautifully captures both the natural phenomenon of daybreak and the spiritual reality of divine illumination breaking into darkness.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound word from ἀνά (ana, “up”) + τέλλω (tellō, “to accomplish, complete”)
• Primary verb
• Used in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Appears in narrative, prophetic, and teaching passages
• Common in classical astronomical and agricultural contexts

ἀνατέλλω Morphology:

• ἀνατέλλω (present active indicative) – I am rising
• ἀνατελεῖ (future active indicative) – he/she/it will rise
• ἀνέτειλεν (aorist active indicative) – he/she/it rose
• ἀνατείλας (aorist active participle) – having risen
• ἀνατέλλων (present active participle) – rising

Origin & History

The term ἀνατέλλω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it primarily described astronomical phenomena. Plato used it in “Republic” (516b) to describe the sun’s rising and its illuminating effect on human understanding. In the Septuagint, it appears significantly in Genesis 32:31 where “the sun rose” (ἀνέτειλεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἥλιος) as Jacob departed Penuel after wrestling with God.

Philo of Alexandria frequently employed ἀνατέλλω in his works, particularly in “On the Creation” (53-54), where he connects the rising of celestial bodies with divine ordering of creation. This philosophical-theological usage influenced early Christian understanding of the term.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The physical rising of celestial bodies, particularly the sun
• The emergence or springing up of plants from the earth
• The dawning or appearance of spiritual light or truth
• The manifestation of divine revelation or presence
• The inception or beginning of a new spiritual reality

ἀνατέλλω Translation Options:

• “to rise up” – emphasizing vertical movement and emergence
• “to dawn” – capturing the gradual nature of illumination
• “to spring forth” – highlighting sudden appearance or manifestation
• “to appear” – focusing on the moment of becoming visible
• “to shine forth” – emphasizing the emanating of light

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀνατέλλω appears at pivotal moments of divine revelation. Its first occurrence in Matthew 4:16 prophetically announces the Messiah’s ministry: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, Light has dawned.”

The word carries special significance in Matthew’s gospel, where it appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In Matthew 5:45, Yeshua uses it to illustrate the Father’s impartial grace: “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good.”

• “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light… Light has risen [ἀνέτειλεν]” Matthew 4:16
• “For He makes His sun rise [ἀνατέλλει]” Matthew 5:45
• “But when the sun had risen [ἀνατείλαντος]” Matthew 13:6
• “Until the day dawns [διαυγάσῃ] and the morning star rises [ἀνατείλῃ]” 2 Peter 1:19
• “The sun rose [ἀνέτειλεν] with its scorching heat” James 1:11

Cultural Insights

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the rising of the sun held profound religious significance. The Hebrew people’s eastward orientation in worship reflected their anticipation of divine revelation with the rising sun. This cultural understanding enriches our appreciation of Malachi’s prophecy about the “Sun of Righteousness” rising (Malachi 4:2), which early believers connected with ἀνατέλλω in their Greek translations.

The Jewish practice of praying at sunrise (Shacharit) connects with this word’s imagery. The blessing “יוצר אור” (Creator of Light) recited during morning prayers reflects the same theological concept of God’s light dawning upon His people that ἀνατέλλω captures in the New Testament.

Theological Significance

ἀνατέλλω beautifully expresses the progressive nature of divine revelation. Just as the sun doesn’t appear instantly but gradually illuminates the world, God’s truth and presence often dawn progressively in our understanding and experience. This concept is particularly evident in Luke’s use of the word ἀνατολή (related to ἀνατέλλω) in the Benedictus (Luke 1:78).

The word carries profound Messianic implications, connecting with Old Testament prophecies about the coming of God’s light to His people. When Matthew employs ἀνατέλλω in describing Yeshua’s ministry, he’s deliberately echoing Isaiah’s prophecies about light dawning in darkness, confirming Yeshua as the fulfillment of these ancient promises.

Personal Application

Like the reliability of sunrise each morning, ἀνατέλλω reminds us of God’s faithfulness in bringing light into our darkness. When we face spiritual darkness or uncertainty, we can trust that just as surely as the sun rises each day, God’s light will dawn in our circumstances.

In practical terms, this word encourages us to expect and watch for God’s revelation in our lives, understanding that like the dawn, it often comes gradually but inevitably. This can help us remain patient and hopeful during times of spiritual darkness, knowing that divine light is already beginning to rise.

Related Words

• φῶς (phōs, foce) – light, revelation; closely connected with ἀνατέλλω as what rises or appears – See G5457
• λάμπω (lampō, lam’-po) – to shine, give light; describes the action of light once it has risen – See G2989
• φαίνω (phainō, fah’-ee-no) – to appear, shine forth; similar to ἀνατέλλω but more general in application – See G5316
• ἐπιφαίνω (epiphainō, ep-ee-fah’-ee-no) – to shine upon; used for divine manifestation – See G2014

Did you Know?

• The ancient Greeks used ἀνατέλλω in their astronomical texts to describe not only the rising of the sun but also the appearance of constellations, contributing to its rich metaphorical meaning in biblical texts.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀνατέλλω (in its modern form ανατέλλω) to describe sunrise, maintaining this beautiful connection between ancient and contemporary language.
• The word’s compound structure (ἀνά + τέλλω) suggests not just rising but completion or fulfillment, hinting at the perfect completion of God’s promises when His light fully dawns.

Remember This

ἀνατέλλω reminds us that just as surely as the sun rises each morning, God’s light inevitably breaks through our darkness, revealing His glory and truth in His perfect timing.