αἴνεσις
aínesis
G133 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Verbal expression of approval or admiration, especially directed toward a deity; the act of praising, extolling, or acknowledging excellence. In religious contexts, emphasizes acts of speaking or singing praise, sometimes incorporating the idea of thanksgiving, including both private and public forms of acclamation or gratitude.
Semantic Range
praise, commendation, act of giving praise (especially to a deity), thanksgiving expressed as praise, verbal or sung acknowledgment, hymn of praise
Root / Etymology
From the root αἰνέω (to praise, to approve). αἴνεσις is a noun formation denoting the action, result, or process of praising; a verbal noun based on the verb.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, αἴνεσις denotes praise or commendation of a person, deed, or quality, found in rhetorical and ethical contexts. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term comes to be used frequently in religious contexts, especially for acts of verbal worship or the giving of thanks to a deity. In the Septuagint, it is regularly used to translate Hebrew terms for praise or thanksgiving (often תְּהִלָּה), which can refer to hymns or statements of gratitude towards the God of Israel. In the New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 13:15), αἴνεσις refers specifically to expressions of praise as a spiritual act, sometimes associated with thanksgiving offerings. Standard English translations as 'praise' or 'thank-offering' reflect this usage, but may not capture the full nuance of both spoken, sung, and ritualized forms of acknowledgment found in Jewish and early Christian worship practices. The word is distinguished from γενέσια ('birthday celebration') or εὐχαριστία ('thanksgiving'), focusing primarily on the act of extolling rather than the gift or gratitude itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from αἰνέω; a praising (the act), i.e. (specially) a thank(-offering):--praise.
Root Family
αἴνεσις (ainesis) — praise, commendation, approval, verbal acclamation
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G133-01 |
αἰνέσεως | aineseos | N GEN F SG |
of praise | of praise | of praise | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G133-01 |
Hebrews 13:15 | αἰνέσεως | aineseos | N GEN F SG |
of praise | of praise | of praise |