The Greek verb ἀνασπάω (anaspaō) means “to draw up” or “to pull up.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root σπάω (spaō), meaning “to pull” or “to draw.” The term generally refers to the action of pulling something up or drawing it upwards, often used in contexts involving lifting or drawing something towards oneself.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνασπάω (G385) appears in the New Testament with the meaning of drawing or pulling something up. For example, in Acts 27:19, it describes the act of “pulling up” the gear or tackle of a ship during a storm, indicating a physical action of lifting or drawing up equipment for safety or repair.

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The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides additional detail by noting that ἀνασπάω involves the action of drawing or pulling something up or towards oneself. BDAG highlights its use in contexts where something is physically lifted or drawn upwards, reflecting a straightforward application of the term.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon further elaborates on this by describing ἀνασπάω as relating to the act of drawing up or pulling something, often in a literal sense. The lexicon emphasizes that the term can be used to describe the action of lifting or drawing something up, whether it be physical objects or equipment.

In summary, ἀνασπάω primarily means “to draw up” or “to pull up,” indicating an action of lifting or drawing something towards oneself. This interpretation is consistent across Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in both biblical and classical Greek literature.