ἀνάπτω (G381) — Greek Lexicon

ἀνάπτω

anáptō

G381 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To light or ignite a flame or fire; to cause something to catch fire. By extension, to arouse, incite, or set in motion (often figuratively, such as arousing feelings, passions, or conflict, especially in literary Greek). In biblical contexts, primarily used in the literal sense of lighting or kindling a physical fire.

Semantic Range

to ignite, to kindle, to light (a fire/lamp), to set on fire; (figuratively, in non-biblical Greek) to stir up or arouse feelings or passions

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἀνά (up, again) and the verb ἅπτω (to fasten, to touch, to ignite). The compound form emphasizes the action of igniting or causing something to burn rather than simply touching or fastening.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb ἀνάπτω occurs infrequently in the New Testament, with primary usage focusing on the literal act of igniting or lighting a fire—e.g., the lighting of lamps or sacrificial fires. In the Septuagint, it also appears in cultic or ritual contexts for lighting altars or lamps. In broader Hellenistic and classical literature, ἀνάπτω can acquire figurative senses, such as to arouse emotion or stir up conflict (e.g., setting the soul aflame). English translations typically render the term as 'kindle' or 'light.' However, the figurative sense is generally not present in biblical usage, where the term retains its more basic, concrete meaning. Related verbs include ἅπτω (to fasten, touch, or ignite), but ἀνάπτω distinctively focuses on the inception of burning through the prefix ἀνά, conveying the sense of initiating or setting aflame. There is no significant difference in sense between LXX and NT usage, though post-biblical Greek allows for wider metaphorical uses.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and ἅπτω; to enkindle:--kindle, light.

Root Family

ἀνάπτω (anaptō) — to ignite, to kindle, to light, to set on fire

Root ἅπτ- to fasten, to touch, to ignite

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G381-01`	ἀνάπτει	anaptei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	kindles	ignites	ignites	1
`G381-02`	ἀνήφθη	anephthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it were kindled	was ignited	was ignited	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G381-02`	Luke 12:49	ἀνήφθη	anephthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it were kindled	was ignited	was ignited
`G381-01`	James 3:5	ἀνάπτει	anaptei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	kindles	ignites	ignites

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