αἶνος
aînos
G136 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Speech of commendation or celebration; most often, an expression of praise, acclaim, or laudation, particularly directed towards a deity. In literature, denotes any speech or song celebrating virtues or deeds. In religious contexts, often refers specifically to the vocal or written praise of God.
Semantic Range
praise, hymn, song of praise, commendation, laudatory story, fable with moral praise
Root / Etymology
Root is αἶν- (ain-); etymology is uncertain, though commonly considered a primary word in Greek without clear Indo-European cognates. Possibly related to words for 'speech' or 'story' in poetic traditions, but direct connections are tenuous.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, αἶνος often referred to a fable, proverb, or tale with a didactic or commendatory purpose, sometimes involving praise or moral instruction (e.g., Hesiod, Homeric Hymns). By the Hellenistic and especially the Koine period (LXX, NT), its use shifted towards explicit expressions of 'praise' or 'acclaim', particularly towards the divine. In the Septuagint, αἶνος frequently translates Hebrew terms for praise (notably תְּהִלָּה tehillah), emphasizing communal or liturgical worship. In the New Testament, it occurs primarily in the context of extolling God or divine works (e.g., Matt 21:16; Luke 18:43). While often rendered as 'praise' in English Bibles, the term has a wider range in classical literature, encompassing laudatory stories and even moral fables. Contrasts with ἔπαινος (epainos), which is more generally 'praise' or 'approval' in both human and divine contexts, whereas αἶνος retains poetic and liturgical nuances. Later Jewish and Christian usage aligns it almost exclusively with religious praise.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently a prime word; properly, a story, but used in the sense of ἔπαινος; praise (of God):--praise.
Root Family
αἶνος (ainos) — praise, celebration, commendation, laudatory speech
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G134 | αἰνέω | praise |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G136-01 |
αἶνον | ainon | N ACC M SG |
praise | praise | praise | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G136-01 |
Matthew 21:16 | αἶνον | ainon | N ACC M SG |
praise | praise | praise |
G136-01 |
Luke 18:43 | αἶνον | ainon | N ACC M SG |
praise | praise | praise |