ἀνακαίνωσις
anakaínōsis
G342 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A process or state of making new again, renewal, or transformation; specifically refers to renewal in the sense of restoring to original freshness, vigor, or character—often used metaphorically to describe inward moral or spiritual transformation rather than simple external change. Contextually, can refer to an act or process of renewal, especially of a community or individual.
Semantic Range
renewal, renovation, transformation, inward renewal, revitalization, spiritual or moral renewal, making new in quality
Root / Etymology
Derived from the verb ἀνακαινόω (to make new, to renew), which is formed from ἀνά- (again) and καινός (new, fresh). Thus, etymologically ἀνακαίνωσις refers to the act or process of making new again or renewal.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Earliest attestations are in Hellenistic and later Greek, with limited evidence outside biblical or Christian literature, suggesting the term is either a technical or rare noun formation. In the Septuagint and New Testament (notably Romans 12:2 and Titus 3:5), it conveys a deeper internal or spiritual renewal—an inward transformation of the person or community rather than a mere restoration to a prior state. The term is not frequent in non-biblical Koine literature, where related terms such as καινότης (newness) or παλιγγενεσία (rebirth, regeneration) are sometimes preferred for similar semantic domains. English translations such as "renewing" or "renewal" may too narrowly capture the nuance; the sense includes internal transformation, mental or spiritual renovation, and is often contrasted with external conformity (cf. Romans 12:2). The primary difference from words like ἀνακαίνισις (restoration) is the emphasis on qualitatively newness rather than simple return to prior condition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀνακαινόω; renovation:--renewing.
Root Family
καιν- (enkaínia) — to make new, to dedicate, to renew
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1456 | ἐγκαίνια | dedication festivals |
| G1457 | ἐγκαινίζω | he inaugurated |
| G2537 | καινός | new things |
| G2538 | καινότης | in newness |
| G340 | ἀνακαινίζω | to make new again |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G342-01 |
ἀνακαινώσει | anakainosei | N DAT F SG |
renewing | by renewal | renewing | 1 |
G342-02 |
ἀνακαινώσεως | anakainoseos | N GEN F SG |
renewing | of renewal | of renewal | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G342-01 |
Romans 12:2 | ἀνακαινώσει | anakainosei | N DAT F SG |
renewing | by renewal | renewing |
G342-02 |
Titus 3:5 | ἀνακαινώσεως | anakainoseos | N GEN F SG |
renewing | of renewal | of renewal |