ἀνάπαυσις is a Greek noun meaning “rest” or “repose.” It is derived from the verb ἀναπαύω, which means “to rest” or “to cease from labor.” The term is used to denote a state of rest, relief, or cessation from work or activity. In various contexts, it can refer to physical rest, spiritual peace, or a period of recovery and relaxation.

Detailed Overview with Concordances

1. BDAG (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature):

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• BDAG defines ἀνάπαυσις as “rest” or “repose,” highlighting its usage to describe a state of physical or spiritual rest. It notes that the term can refer to both literal rest and metaphorical rest, such as relief from burdens or cessation from activity.

2. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek-English Lexicon):

• LSJ describes ἀνάπαυσις as “rest” or “repose,” indicating its application to physical and metaphorical contexts. The lexicon emphasizes that it can denote both a literal rest and a more abstract sense of relief or cessation from work.

3. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer explains that ἀνάπαυσις means “rest” or “repose,” often in a spiritual or metaphorical sense. The lexicon points out that it is used to describe a state of relief or cessation from labor or distress, reflecting both physical and spiritual dimensions of rest.

4. Strong’s Concordance:

• Strong’s Concordance lists ἀνάπαυσις as G372, translating it as “rest” or “repose.” It underscores the term’s use in describing a state of relief from work or distress, whether physical or spiritual.

Summary:
ἀνάπαυσις (G372) is a noun meaning “rest” or “repose,” derived from ἀναπαύω (“to rest”). It denotes a state of physical or spiritual rest, relief, or cessation from activity. In various contexts, it can refer to both literal and metaphorical rest, indicating a period of relaxation, recovery, or relief from burdens. Concordances and lexicons agree on its usage to describe both physical and abstract forms of rest.