The Greek verb ἀναψύχω (anapsychō) means “to refresh,” “to revive,” or “to give relief.” It is derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root ψύχω (psyō), meaning “to cool” or “to refresh.” The term generally refers to the act of providing rejuvenation or relief, often after a period of exertion or distress.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀναψύχω (G404) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of refreshing or giving relief. For example, in Acts 3:19, the term is used to indicate the refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord. This suggests a form of spiritual or physical rejuvenation.

The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides additional context by noting that ἀναψύχω involves the idea of providing relief or rejuvenation. BDAG highlights its use in contexts where refreshing or reviving is emphasized, often in response to fatigue or distress. It can be applied to both physical and metaphorical senses of renewal.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this understanding by describing ἀναψύχω as related to the concept of refreshing or reviving. The lexicon emphasizes its application in contexts where relief or revitalization is significant, whether in a literal or figurative sense.

In summary, ἀναψύχω primarily means “to refresh,” “to revive,” or “to give relief,” reflecting actions that provide rejuvenation or relief. This interpretation is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing periods of refreshment and relief in biblical and classical Greek literature.