The Greek verb ἀνέρχομαι (anērchomai) generally means “to go up,” “to ascend,” or “to rise.” It is derived from the prefix ἀν- (an-), meaning “up,” and the verb ἔρχομαι (erchomai), meaning “to come” or “to go.” This term can refer to physically ascending to a higher place or metaphorically to the act of rising or progressing in a non-physical sense.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνέρχομαι (G424) is used in several contexts, often referring to the act of going up or ascending. It appears in passages such as John 3:13, where Jesus speaks of ascending to heaven, and in Revelation 11:12, where the two witnesses are described as ascending to heaven. These examples illustrate its use for both literal physical ascent and metaphorical or divine ascension.

The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides additional context by defining ἀνέρχομαι as “to go up” or “to ascend.” BDAG highlights its use in various contexts, including physical ascent (e.g., climbing a mountain) and metaphorical uses (e.g., rising to a higher state or position). The term is also used in theological contexts to describe the ascent of Jesus and other significant figures, emphasizing its broad applicability.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this definition by describing ἀνέρχομαι as “to ascend” or “to go up.” LSJ provides examples from classical Greek literature where the term is used for physical ascension, such as climbing, and for metaphorical ascent, such as rising in rank or status. This aligns with its use in biblical texts to describe both literal and figurative ascension.

In summary, ἀνέρχομαι primarily means “to go up,” “to ascend,” or “to rise,” encompassing both physical and metaphorical contexts. This meaning is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing ascension and rising in various senses in biblical and classical Greek literature.