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ἀνάπαυσις

anápausis

G372 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

rest, a cessation from work or activity; the act of causing relief or respite from labor or hardship. The word denotes a condition or state of peace, ease, or refreshment after exertion; can also refer to the place or means by which rest is obtained. In literature and broader usage, it encompasses both physical relaxation and metaphorical repose (such as the tranquility of spirit) depending on the context.

Semantic Range

rest from labor, cessation, pause, relaxation, refreshment (physical); relief, repose, state of tranquility or inner peace (metaphorical or spiritual); place or time of rest

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἀναπαύω (to cause to rest, refresh, give relief), itself from ἀνά (up, again, back) and παύω (to stop, cease). So literally 'a stopping again' or 'a renewal through cessation.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀνάπαυσις referred to rest, cessation from activity, or pause, found in secular and philosophical contexts for both literal rest and metaphorical tranquility. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term continued much in the same vein, but by the time of the Septuagint and New Testament, it is often used for the idea of restful relief provided by God, particularly in eschatological or spiritual contexts (e.g., Sabbath rest, 'rest for your souls' in Matthew 11:29). In the LXX, it is often employed to translate Hebrew words for Sabbath or rest (e.g., מְנוּחָה), thereby importing Hebrew conceptual nuances. In English translations (including 'rest' or occasionally 'repose'), the term sometimes fails to capture the layered notion of relief from burden as well as refreshment. While Strong's gloss restricts meaning to 'intermission' or 'recreation,' the ancient semantic range includes spiritual and emotional meanings, especially in Jewish and early Christian literature. The noun should be distinguished from ἄνεσις (relief, relaxation), which more typically emphasizes looseness or liberty rather than repose from exertion. It also contrasts with κατάπαυσις (another term for rest or cessation, as in Hebrews 4), which sometimes names the final or ultimate rest (eschatological).

Translation Consistency

primary "rest" 5 occurrences

ἀνάπαυσις consistently denotes rest, cessation, or repose (physical and spiritual). 'Rest' is the most natural, commonly used English equivalent across the full semantic range (pause/relief/place of rest) and matches the attested renderings in the source texts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀναπαύω; intermission; by implication, recreation:--rest.

Root Family

ἀναπαυ- (anápausis) — to cause rest, to refresh, to relieve

Root ἀναπαυ- to cause rest, to refresh, to relieve

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G372-01 ἀνάπαυσιν anapausin N ACC F SG rest rest rest 5

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G372-01 Matthew 11:29 ἀνάπαυσιν anapausin N ACC F SG rest rest rest
G372-01 Matthew 12:43 ἀνάπαυσιν anapausin N ACC F SG rest rest rest
G372-01 Luke 11:24 ἀνάπαυσιν anapausin N ACC F SG rest rest rest
G372-01 Revelation 4:8 ἀνάπαυσιν anapausin N ACC F SG rest rest rest
G372-01 Revelation 14:11 ἀνάπαυσιν anapausin N ACC F SG rest rest rest
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