The Greek verb ἀνατέλλω (anatellō) means “to rise” or “to dawn.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root τέλλω (tellō), meaning “to complete” or “to bring to an end.” The term is commonly used to describe the rising of the sun or the dawn of a new day, but it can also be applied metaphorically to refer to the beginning or emergence of something.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνατέλλω (G393) is primarily used in the New Testament to describe the rising of the sun or the dawn. For example, in Matthew 5:45, it is used to describe the sun rising, illustrating the natural phenomenon of dawn. This use conveys the idea of the sun coming up from the horizon, marking the beginning of a new day.

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The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides further insight, noting that ἀνατέλλω can refer both to the literal rising of celestial bodies, such as the sun, and metaphorically to the emergence or beginning of events or concepts. BDAG highlights its use in a variety of contexts where something rises or begins, whether it be a physical object or an abstract idea.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this interpretation by describing ἀνατέλλω as referring to the act of rising or dawning, with applications to both celestial phenomena and metaphorical uses. The lexicon emphasizes its use in depicting the start of new periods or events.

In summary, ἀνατέλλω primarily means “to rise” or “to dawn,” describing the rising of the sun or the beginning of something. This meaning is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in both literal and metaphorical senses in biblical and classical Greek literature.