← G133 G135 →

αἰνέω

ainéō

G134 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To speak or express praise, commendation, or approval; primarily used in the sense of voicing approval or adulation, often directed toward deities, humans, or things considered praiseworthy. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, most frequently used for praising a deity (especially the God of Israel), but not limited to divine contexts.

Semantic Range

to praise, to speak well of, to commend, to extol (especially in religious contexts), to celebrate, to offer adulation

Root / Etymology

From αἶνος (ainos), meaning 'praise' or 'commendation,' plus the verbal suffix -έω, denoting action. Related to several ancient Greek words for praise or laud, such as ἀναινέω and ἐπαινέω.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, αἰνέω is broadly used for voicing praise of humans, heroes, or gods in both public and private arenas. In the Septuagint, the verb replaces and translates several Hebrew verbs for extolling God (notably הָלַל and יָדָה), thus acquiring strong associations with worship and liturgical praise. In the New Testament, the usage is almost exclusively focused on vocal praise directed toward God, especially in contexts of song, prayer, or proclamation; the sense of praising humans is far less frequent. The usage extends to both communal and individual acts of praise. Standard English translations (usually 'to praise') generally capture the primary sense but may not reflect the original’s range—including both formal proclamation and general commendation. Related Greek verbs (ἐπαινέω, 'to approve, to praise publicly'; δοξάζω, 'to glorify') have overlapping semantic domains but nuance their object and context differently. The noun αἶνος, 'praise,' designates the action or content of praiseworthy speech; the verb αἰνέω refers to the act itself. No significant difference in meaning is observed between Hellenistic and later Koine usage beyond the increased restriction to religious contexts in Jewish and Christian literature.

Translation Consistency

primary "praise" 8 occurrences

αἰνέω most commonly means to express approval or adulation—especially toward God—so the natural, typical English equivalent is “praise.” It covers the core senses (extol, commend, celebrate) and is the most frequent and natural rendering in LXX/NT contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from αἶνος; to praise (God):--praise.

Root Family

αἰνέω (aineō) — to praise, to commend, to extol

Root αἰν- to praise, to commend

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G134-02 αἰνεῖτε aineite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL Praise Keep praising praise 2
G134-05 αἰνοῦντες ainountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL praising praising ones praising 2
G134-03 αἰνῶν ainon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG praising praise praising 1
G134-01 αἰνεῖν ainein V PRS ACT INF to praise to praise to praise 1
G134-04 αἰνοῦντα ainounta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG praising praising praising 1
G134-06 αἰνούντων ainounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL praising of those praising of those praising 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G134-06 Luke 2:13 αἰνούντων ainounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL praising of those praising of those praising
G134-05 Luke 2:20 αἰνοῦντες ainountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL praising praising ones praising
G134-01 Luke 19:37 αἰνεῖν ainein V PRS ACT INF to praise to praise to praise
G134-05 Acts 2:47 αἰνοῦντες ainountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL praising praising ones praising
G134-03 Acts 3:8 αἰνῶν ainon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG praising praise praising
G134-04 Acts 3:9 αἰνοῦντα ainounta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG praising praising praising
G134-02 Romans 15:11 αἰνεῖτε aineite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL Praise Keep praising praise
G134-02 Revelation 19:5 αἰνεῖτε aineite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL Praise Keep praising praise
← G133 Greek Lexicon G135 →