Brief Overview of ἀνασταυρόω (Strong’s G388:)

The Greek verb ἀνασταυρόω (anastaurōō) means “to crucify again” or “to re-crucify.” It is composed of the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning “up” or “again,” and the root σταυρόω (staurōō), meaning “to crucify.” The term generally refers to the act of crucifying someone again or metaphorically refers to the repeated or renewed act of crucifixion.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνασταυρόω (G388) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of crucifying someone again. For example, in Hebrews 6:6, the term is used to indicate the severity of falling away from faith by likening it to crucifying the Son of God all over again. This metaphorical use emphasizes the gravity of apostasy and the notion of a severe, repeated rejection of faith.

The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon elaborates on ἀνασταυρόω by noting that it denotes the act of re-crucifying, particularly in a metaphorical or symbolic sense. BDAG highlights its use in theological discussions to emphasize the profound nature of rejecting or renouncing something sacred, using the image of repeated crucifixion to underscore the seriousness of the act.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon also supports this understanding, describing ἀνασταυρόω as referring to the act of crucifying again, with emphasis on its use in metaphorical contexts. The lexicon notes that the term is used to convey a significant and impactful action, particularly in relation to spiritual or religious matters.

In summary, ἀνασταυρόω primarily means “to crucify again” or “to re-crucify,” with a strong metaphorical connotation in biblical texts. This interpretation is consistent across Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in theological and metaphorical discussions in both biblical and classical Greek literature.