ἀνασταυρόω (G388) — Greek Lexicon

ἀνασταυρόω

anastauróō

G388 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To crucify again; to subject (someone) a second time to crucifixion or an act analogous to crucifixion, whether literally or metaphorically. The term primarily means 'to crucify again', but in Koine usage most often refers to a figurative re-enactment of the shame or disgrace of crucifixion, particularly in a moral or communal sense.

Semantic Range

to crucify again, to subject to public disgrace or shame again, to repudiate as if becoming an enemy again, to expose to humiliation by re-enacting the experience of crucifixion (figurative)

Root / Etymology

Compound verb formed from ἀνά ('up, again') + σταυρόω ('to crucify'). Literally 'to crucify again.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἀνασταυρόω is a rare verb in Greek literature, attested in Koine Greek and notably in Hebrews 6:6, its only New Testament occurrence. In this passage, the term is used metaphorically to express the act of subjecting the Messiah to public disgrace or ignominy again, by those who fall away after professing allegiance. The imagery riffs on the shame and public spectacle of ancient crucifixion rather than a literal second act of crucifixion. Early Greek literature (Classical and Hellenistic) rarely employs the compound, and its sense is closely tied to legal and communal notions of shame. In translation tradition, it was rendered 'crucify afresh' or 'recrucify', but this often narrows the sense to a literal event; contextually, the focus is on the recreating of the shame or repudiation associated with the original crucifixion, not necessarily an actual repetition of the physical act. There are no significant Septuagintal uses; its appearance is principally post-Classical. Theologically, later traditions interpreted the term as 're-crucifying' the Messiah, but the lexical core is broader, aligned with renewing the communal or public rejection symbolized by crucifixion.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and σταυρόω; to recrucify (figuratively):--crucify afresh.

Root Family

ἀνασταυρόω (anastauroō) — to crucify again, to fix again to a stake, to re-enact crucifixion, to subject again to public shame

Root σταυρ- to crucify, to fix to a stake or cross

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G388-01`	ἀνασταυροῦντας	anastaurountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	crucifying	crucifying again	crucifying again	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G388-01`	Hebrews 6:6	ἀνασταυροῦντας	anastaurountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	crucifying	crucifying again	crucifying again

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