Understanding ἀναιρέω (anaireo) Strong’s G337: The Greek Word Revealing Divine Sovereignty in Life and Death

Pronunciation Guide: ah-nigh-REH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G337: ἀναιρέω (anaireo) fundamentally means “to take up, to lift up, to destroy, or to kill.” In its most basic sense, it carries the idea of removing something or someone by lifting up and away. The word evolved to primarily denote putting to death or destroying, especially in contexts of official execution or murder. It can also mean to take away, abolish, or rescind, particularly in legal contexts.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound word from ἀνά (ana, “up”) + αἱρέω (haireo, “to take”)
• Primary verb
• Found in narrative passages, legal texts, and historical accounts
• Common in Koine Greek literature and official documents
• Frequently used in the Septuagint for Hebrew words relating to execution or destruction

ἀναιρέω Morphology:

• ἀναιρέω (present active indicative) – I kill/destroy
• ἀνεῖλεν (aorist active indicative) – he/she/it killed/destroyed
• ἀναιρεθῆναι (aorist passive infinitive) – to be killed/destroyed
• ἀναιρῶν (present active participle) – killing/destroying
• ἀνῃρέθη (aorist passive indicative) – was killed/destroyed

Origin & History

The word ἀναιρέω began in classical Greek literature with the literal meaning of “taking up” or “lifting.” Xenophon uses it in his “Anabasis” (4.5.8) to describe soldiers picking up their weapons. However, by the time of the Hellenistic period, it had developed a specialized meaning of “to destroy” or “to kill.”

In the Septuagint, ἀναιρέω became the standard translation for several Hebrew words relating to execution or destruction, particularly הָרַג (harag) and הֵמִית (hemit). Josephus frequently employs the term in his “Antiquities of the Jews” when describing executions or murders, particularly in political contexts.

The early church fathers, including Clement of Alexandria in his “Stromata,” used ἀναιρέω both literally for martyrdom accounts and metaphorically for the destruction of false teachings.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To take up or away, implying complete removal
• To destroy or kill, especially in an official or deliberate manner
• To abolish or rescind, particularly in legal contexts
• To do away with or eliminate, whether physically or metaphorically

ἀναιρέω Translation Options:

• “To put to death” – Most appropriate when describing official executions or deliberate killing
• “To destroy” – Better suited for contexts involving elimination of things rather than people
• “To take away” – Preferred when the context involves removal without necessarily implying death
• “To abolish” – Best used in legal or ceremonial contexts where something is being nullified
• “To do away with” – Useful for metaphorical uses where complete removal is implied

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀναιρέω appears primarily in historical narratives, particularly in Matthew, Acts, and Hebrews. Its first appearance in Matthew 2:16 sets a sobering tone, describing Herod’s murderous decree against the infants of Bethlehem. The word carries particular weight in Acts, where Luke uses it repeatedly to describe both historical executions and attempted murders of believers.

The Septuagint employs ἀναιρέω extensively, particularly in narrative portions describing military conflicts, judicial executions, and murders. This usage helps establish the word’s legal and official connotations in biblical Greek.

• “Then Herod… sent and slew [ἀναιρέω] all the male children” Matthew 2:16
• “This Moses whom they refused… him God sent [ἀναιρέω] to be a ruler” Acts 7:35
• “Who was taken up [ἀναιρέω] from the river” Acts 7:21
• “The Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill [ἀναιρέω] me” Acts 26:21
• “He takes away [ἀναιρέω] the first, that He may establish the second” Hebrews 10:9

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near East, the power to execute was closely tied to governmental authority. The use of ἀναιρέω in legal and official contexts reflects this cultural reality. The word appears frequently in papyri describing official actions of Roman authorities, suggesting its strong association with legal and governmental power.

The term’s use in Matthew 2:16 regarding Herod’s slaughter of the innocents connects to the ancient Jewish understanding of the Messiah’s birth being accompanied by great opposition, as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:15. This tragic event echoes Pharaoh’s attempt to destroy the Jewish males in Exodus, showing the parallel between Moses and Yeshua as deliverers of God’s people.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀναιρέω in Scripture often highlights the sovereignty of God even in situations of apparent evil. In Acts 7:21, the same word used for Herod’s murderous decree is used to describe Moses being “taken up” from the Nile, showing how God’s purposes prevail even through human wickedness.

The word takes on special significance in Hebrews 10:9, where it describes God “taking away” the old covenant to establish the new. This usage demonstrates how the word’s meaning of removal or destruction can serve God’s purposes of renewal and redemption.

The frequent appearance of ἀναιρέω in martyrdom contexts reminds us that following the Messiah may involve suffering, yet God’s sovereignty remains unchanged. The blood of martyrs, like that of the Bethlehem innocents, testifies to both human evil and divine purpose.

Personal Application

When we encounter ἀναιρέω in Scripture, we’re reminded that even in circumstances of great evil or persecution, God remains sovereign. Just as He preserved Moses through Pharaoh’s decree and the Messiah through Herod’s slaughter, He continues to work His purposes through challenging circumstances in our lives.

The word’s legal usage in Hebrews 10:9 reminds us that sometimes God must remove old things from our lives to establish something new. This can be painful but ultimately serves His redemptive purposes.

Related Words

• φονεύω (phoneuo) – to murder, especially with premeditation – differs from ἀναιρέω in lacking official or legal connotations See G5407
• ἀποκτείνω (apokteino) – to kill or put to death – more general term for causing death See G615
• θανατόω (thanatoo) – to put to death, mortify – often used metaphorically See G2289
• καταργέω (katargeo) – to abolish, render inoperative – similar to ἀναιρέω’s legal usage See G2673

Did you Know?

• The term ἀναιρέω appears in ancient Greek medical texts to describe the “taking up” of medicines, showing its original neutral meaning before it developed darker connotations.
• In modern Greek, the word has maintained its meaning of “to abolish” or “to revoke” and is still used in legal contexts for the annulment of laws or contracts.
• The compound structure of ἀναιρέω (ἀνά + αἱρέω) parallels similar compounds in other ancient languages, including Sanskrit and Latin, where “taking up” evolved into meanings of destruction or removal.

Remember This

ἀναιρέω reminds us that even in acts of destruction or removal, God’s sovereign purposes prevail, transforming what was meant for evil into stepping stones for His redemptive plan.