The Greek verb ἀνατρέφω (anatrephō) means “to nourish up,” “to bring up,” or “to rear.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root τρέφω (trephō), meaning “to nourish” or “to feed.” The term generally refers to the act of nurturing or raising someone or something, particularly in the context of growth and development.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνατρέφω (G397) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of nurturing or bringing someone up, especially in terms of development or education. For instance, in Galatians 4:2, it is used to describe how a child is “under guardians and stewards” until the time set by the father, reflecting a process of nurturing and upbringing.

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The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides additional context by noting that ἀνατρέφω involves both literal and figurative senses of nurturing or rearing. BDAG highlights its use in contexts where there is a focus on the upbringing or development of individuals, whether in a physical, emotional, or educational sense.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this interpretation by describing ἀνατρέφω as relating to the act of nourishing or bringing up, particularly in the context of raising children or fostering development. The lexicon emphasizes its application in both literal and metaphorical contexts where nurturing or rearing is involved.

In summary, ἀνατρέφω primarily means “to nourish up,” “to bring up,” or “to rear,” reflecting the act of nurturing or raising individuals or things. This meaning is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing processes of growth and development in biblical and classical Greek literature.