ἀνακαινόω
anakainóō
G341 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make new again, to renew in quality or condition; to bring back to a fresh or improved state. In various contexts, it can refer to physical renovation or, more frequently in Koine usage, moral, spiritual, or interior renewal.
Semantic Range
to renew, to make fresh or new again, to restore, to effect inward transformation, to renew in quality or character
Root / Etymology
From ἀνά (again, up) and καινός (new, fresh); formed as a denominative verb meaning 'to make new again' or 'renew.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, the root καινός means 'new in nature' or 'fresh.' The verb ἀνακαινόω is rare in earlier literature but appears in Hellenistic and specifically Jewish Greek (e.g., LXX) and the New Testament. In the Septuagint, it sometimes translates Hebrew terms for renewing strength or spirit. In the Pauline epistles, especially, it consistently refers to an inward, spiritual, or moral renewal rather than an external renovation—renewal of one's mind or inward person (see Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 4:16). Standard English translations often render as 'renew' or 'renewal,' but the original context is typically concerned with transformation and restoration to a new or better state, not merely returning to a prior condition. The term's use in non-biblical Koine is extremely limited, and its specialized sense is largely shaped by Jewish-Greek and early Christian writers.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀνά and a derivative of καινός; to renovate:--renew.
Root Family
ἀνακαινόω (anakainoō) — to make new, to renew, to restore to freshness
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G341-01 |
ἀνακαινούμενον | anakainoumenon | V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG |
being renewed | being made new again | being renewed | 1 |
G341-02 |
ἀνακαινοῦται | anakainoutai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is being renewed | is being made new again | is being renewed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G341-02 |
2 Corinthians 4:16 | ἀνακαινοῦται | anakainoutai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is being renewed | is being made new again | is being renewed |
G341-01 |
Colossians 3:10 | ἀνακαινούμενον | anakainoumenon | V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG |
being renewed | being made new again | being renewed |