ἀνακαινίζω

anakainízō

G340 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make new again; to cause to become new in character, condition, or quality. The verb conveys the sense of renewing, restoring to a newer or improved state, and sometimes refers to spiritual or inward renewal, depending on context. It may indicate renewal after decay, wear, or loss, or the restoration of original freshness or vitality.

Semantic Range

to renew, to restore, to bring to a new or improved state, to reinvigorate, to refresh, to spiritually transform

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἀνά (again, up) and the verb stem derived from καινός (new, fresh). The term means 'to make new again' or 'to renew.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, ἀνακαινίζω appears most notably in philosophical and religious texts to denote renewal or the act of restoring something to a better or original state. In the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 6:6), it predominantly refers to an inward, often moral or spiritual, renewal rather than merely physical or external renovation. In these contexts, the word does not simply mean 'to do over,' but carries a nuance of transformation or qualitative improvement. English translations such as 'renew' sometimes fail to capture the aspect of radical transformation implied in some uses. The concept is related to, but distinct from, other Greek terms for renewal such as ἀνανεόω, which more strictly means 'to make young again.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and a derivative of καινός; to restore:--renew.

Root Family

ἀνακαινίζω (anakainizō) — to make new, to renew, to restore

Root καιν- to make new, to renew, to restore

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G340-01 ἀνακαινίζειν anakainizein V PRS ACT INF to renew to make new again to make new again 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G340-01 Hebrews 6:6 ἀνακαινίζειν anakainizein V PRS ACT INF to renew to make new again to make new again