Understanding ἀνάκρισις (anakrisis) Strong’s G351: The Ancient Legal Process That Reveals Divine Justice

Pronunciation Guide: an-ak’-ree-sis

Basic Definition

Strong’s G351: ἀνάκρισις (anakrisis) refers to a judicial investigation or preliminary hearing in ancient legal proceedings. It describes the formal process of examining evidence and questioning witnesses before a trial. In the New Testament context, it specifically relates to the careful legal examination of accused persons to determine if charges had merit for a full trial.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Compound word from ἀνά (ana, “up, again”) + κρίσις (krisis, “judgment”)
• Primary usage in legal/judicial contexts
• Found in narrative sections describing legal proceedings

ἀνάκρισις Morphology:

• ἀνάκρισις (nominative singular) – judicial investigation
• ἀνακρίσεως (genitive singular) – of judicial investigation
• ἀνακρίσει (dative singular) – in/with judicial investigation

Origin & History

The term ἀνάκρισις has deep roots in classical Greek legal terminology, particularly in Athenian law. Aristotle uses it extensively in his “Constitution of Athens” when describing the preliminary investigation conducted by magistrates before cases went to trial. This pre-trial examination was crucial in determining whether there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a full hearing.

In the Hellenistic period, the word maintained its technical legal meaning but expanded to include general investigation or examination processes. The historian Polybius employs ἀνάκρισις in his “Histories” (2.17) when discussing the thorough investigation of historical events and their causes.

The Septuagint rarely uses this term, reflecting its specialized nature in legal proceedings rather than general religious contexts. However, its related verb form ἀνακρίνω appears more frequently, particularly in contexts of divine judgment and examination.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A formal legal investigation or preliminary hearing
• The process of examining evidence and witnesses
• A systematic inquiry to determine truth or merit

ἀνάκρισις Translation Options:

• “Preliminary hearing” – Emphasizes the procedural nature in legal contexts
• “Judicial examination” – Highlights the official investigative aspect
• “Legal investigation” – Stresses the systematic nature of the inquiry
• “Pre-trial inquiry” – Captures the temporal placement in legal proceedings

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀνάκρισις appears only once, in Acts 25:26. Here, Festus uses the term to describe his dilemma in sending Paul to Caesar without having conducted a proper legal investigation. The context reveals the Roman legal system’s requirement for thorough preliminary examinations before forwarding cases to higher courts.

While the noun form is rare, its verbal cognate ἀνακρίνω appears significantly more often, particularly in:

• “Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination [ἀνάκρισις], I might have somewhat to write.” Acts 25:26
• “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining [ἀνακρίνοντες] the Scriptures daily.” Acts 17:11
• “But he that is spiritual judgeth [ἀνακρίνει] all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” 1 Corinthians 2:15

Cultural Insights

The ἀνάκρισις process in ancient Greek courts was remarkably sophisticated. It typically involved three stages: gathering written evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the accused. The magistrate conducting the ἀνάκρισις had significant power to compel testimony and document production, similar to modern discovery procedures.

In Roman legal procedure, which forms the backdrop for Acts 25:26, the ἀνάκρισις served a crucial role in preventing frivolous cases from proceeding to higher courts. This system influenced the development of both secular and ecclesiastical legal procedures throughout the Mediterranean world.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἀνάκρισις offers profound insights into divine justice and judgment. Just as Roman law required thorough investigation before judgment, Scripture reveals that God’s judgments are always preceded by perfect investigation and knowledge. This reflects His character of justice tempered with mercy, ensuring that every case receives proper examination.

The term also carries implications for spiritual discernment. When Paul uses the verbal form in 1 Corinthians, he connects spiritual examination with divine wisdom, suggesting that believers should approach both Scripture and life situations with careful, Spirit-led investigation rather than hasty judgment.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀνάκρισις challenges us to be more thorough in our spiritual examination of both Scripture and our own lives. Just as a legal investigation requires careful attention to detail and suspension of premature judgment, we should approach our Bible study and spiritual discernment with similar diligence.

This word reminds us that God’s justice is never arbitrary but always based on perfect knowledge and examination. This should give us confidence in His judgments while inspiring us to be more careful in our own assessments of situations and people.

Related Words

• κρίσις (krisis) – judgment, decision – Emphasizes the verdict aspect of legal proceedings, contrasting with ἀνάκρισις’s focus on investigation See G2920
• ἐξέτασις (exetasis) – investigation, inquiry – A more general term for investigation without the specific legal connotations See G1833
• δοκιμασία (dokimasia) – testing, proving – Focuses on testing character or qualifications rather than legal investigation See G1382
• διάκρισις (diakrisis) – distinguishing, discernment – Related to judging between options rather than formal investigation See G1253

Did you Know?

• The ἀνάκρισις process in ancient Athens was so important that specific buildings called ἀνακριτήρια were designated for these preliminary hearings, showing the formal nature of these investigations.
• Modern Greek legal terminology still uses ἀνάκρισις to refer to preliminary investigations in criminal cases, maintaining its ancient meaning across millennia of legal practice.
• The systematic nature of ἀνάκρισις influenced the development of early Church disciplinary procedures, where careful investigation preceded any formal church discipline.

Remember This

ἀνάκρισις reminds us that true justice requires thorough investigation, reflecting both divine wisdom in judgment and our need for careful spiritual discernment in life.