ἀναζωπυρέω

anazōpyréō

G329 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To kindle afresh, to rekindle, to cause something (such as a fire, emotion, or gift) to blaze up again; in extended use, to revive, renew or stimulate (an ability, enthusiasm, or spiritual gift) from a dormant or diminished state. The primary sense is to make alive or active again what has subsided or faded.

Semantic Range

to rekindle a (literal) fire, to revive or restore (a feeling, quality, or ability), to enliven or stimulate, to activate again, to stir up into renewed activity

Root / Etymology

From the prefix ἀνά (again, back, up) + ζωπυρέω (to kindle or make alive a fire), itself from ζῶον (living thing or to live) and πῦρ (fire). The word thus literally means 'to make a fire live again' or 'to rekindle.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Initially used in classical and Hellenistic Greek for physically rekindling a fire (e.g., reviving embers), ἀναζωπυρέω was employed in metaphorical senses in later Greek, particularly in philosophical and rhetorical contexts, for reviving or stirring up latent abilities, emotions, or inner qualities. In the NT (2 Timothy 1:6), it refers metaphorically to revitalizing a spiritual gift. The metaphor draws on the image of blowing on embers to restore a flame. In both secular and biblical Greek, the word generally implies both the prior existence of something (e.g., a gift or quality) and its renewal to full vitality, rather than a new creation. English translations ('stir up,' 'rekindle,' 'fan into flame') each capture part of the imagery but may understate the nuance of reactivating latent potential or restoring life to what is waning.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and a compound of the base of ζῶον and πῦρ; to re-enkindle:--stir up.

Root Family

ἀναζωπυρέω (anazōpyreō) — to make alive again, to kindle, to rekindle, to revive

Root ζωπυρ- to make alive, to kindle, to rekindle

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G329-01 ἀναζωπυρεῖν anazopurein V PRS ACT INF to kindle afresh to rekindle to rekindle 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G329-01 2 Timothy 1:6 ἀναζωπυρεῖν anazopurein V PRS ACT INF to kindle afresh to rekindle to rekindle