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αὐξάνω

auxánō

G837 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To cause to grow, to increase, to make greater in size, number, or strength; also, to grow or increase (intransitively), to become greater, to develop, referring both to literal physical growth (as of plants, animals, or people) and to figurative or abstract increase (such as in faith, community size, or influence). The verb may carry both an active sense (to cause growth) and an intransitive sense (to grow, to become larger or greater).

Semantic Range

to cause to grow, to make increase, to become greater, to develop, to enlarge, to flourish, to grow up, to mature (literal and figurative)

Root / Etymology

From the root αὐξ-, common in classical and later Greek; likely a denominative verb formed from αὐξή (growth, increase). Not derived from foreign language sources; entirely of Greek formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, αὐξάνω is used for both the active sense (to make grow) and the intransitive sense (to grow, to increase). The word appears frequently in Greek literature when describing growth in a physical, biological sense (e.g., a plant growing, a city's population increasing), and also abstractly (prosperity, reputation). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it retains both senses: literal growth (as of seeds, children) and metaphorical increase (spiritual growth, increase in numbers or faith). The verb is used in intransitive forms with God or natural forces as the implicit agent, and in active or causative forms when explicitly indicating the source of increase. English Bible translations often use 'grow,' 'increase,' or 'give the increase,' but these may not capture the mutuality of active and passive senses in the Greek. Its range overlaps with άλλοι forms such as πληθύνω (to multiply) and τελειόω (to bring to completion), but αὐξάνω focuses specifically on the process or state of becoming greater.

Translation Consistency

primary "grow" 17 occurrences

"Grow" is the most natural, common English verb covering both literal and figurative senses in the SILEX range (physical development, maturation, and abstract increase). It works intransitively (to grow) and transitively in ordinary usage (to grow something, to cause to grow), matching the typical NT uses and the variety of P2 renderings while keeping consistent, natural phrasing.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"increased" (2x) "grew" (2x) "making increase" (1x) "increase" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow ("wax"), i.e. enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive):--grow (up), (give the) increase.

Root Family

αὐξάνω (auxanō) — to grow, to increase, to make greater

Root αὐξ- to grow, to increase, to make greater

Word Forms

17 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G837-16 ηὔξανεν euxanen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG grew was increasing was growing 5
G837-10 αὔξει auxei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG grows grows grows 2
G837-17 ηὔξησεν euxesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG grew grew grew 2
G837-09 αὐξάνουσιν auxanousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they grow they are growing they grow 1
G837-14 αὐξηθῆτε auxethete V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P PL you may grow you may be increased you may grow 1
G837-08 αὐξάνων auxanon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG who gives growth growing making increase 1
G837-07 αὐξανόμενον auxanomenon V PRS PASS PTCP NOM N SG growing being increased growing 1
G837-12 αὐξήσωμεν auxesomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL we may grow up let us grow let us grow 1
G837-11 αὐξήσει auxesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG increase will grow will increase 1
G837-13 αὐξηθῇ auxethe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG it is grown may be increased may be increased 1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G837-09 Matthew 6:28 αὐξάνουσιν auxanousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they grow they are growing they grow
G837-13 Matthew 13:32 αὐξηθῇ auxethe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG it is grown may be increased may be increased
G837-04 Mark 4:8 αὐξανόμενα auxanomena V PRS PASS PTCP NOM N PL increased things being increased growing
G837-15 Luke 1:80 ηὔξανε euxane V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG grew was growing was growing
G837-16 Luke 2:40 ηὔξανεν euxanen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG grew was increasing was growing
G837-01 Luke 12:27 αὐξάνει auxanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG they grow he/she/it grows they grow
G837-17 Luke 13:19 ηὔξησεν euxesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG it grew grew grew
G837-02 John 3:30 αὐξάνειν auxanein V PRS ACT INF increase to grow, to increase grow
G837-16 Acts 6:7 ηὔξανεν euxanen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG continued to grow was increasing was growing
G837-17 Acts 7:17 ηὔξησεν euxesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG grew grew grew
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