ἀνάληψις
análēpsis
G354 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The act of being taken up or being lifted up; specifically, 'ascension'—used in the sense of a being or person being taken up, typically to the sky or heaven. In context, refers to the event or act of ascending, especially the being taken up of a person by divine agency. The primary meaning is a 'taking up,' with secondary nuances of a visible, dramatic ascent or departure.
Semantic Range
taking up, ascension, assumption, a being taken up by divine or supernatural agency
Root / Etymology
From ἀναλαμβάνω (analambanō, 'to take up, to lift up, to receive up'), where ἀνά- is a prepositional prefix meaning 'up' and λαμβάνω means 'to take, receive.' Thus, ἀνάληψις is a nominal form denoting the event or result of being taken up. No evidence of derivation from Hebrew or non-Greek roots; the formation is internally Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term ἀνάληψις is rare and is only attested once in the New Testament (Luke 9:51, likely in reference to the anticipated removal or 'ascension' of Jesus), and is not common in broader Greek literature, making its semantic range relatively narrow and context-bound. In Hellenistic and early Christian literature, ἀνάληψις was sometimes used for the assumption or being taken up of significant figures (e.g., ancient heroes or figures in Jewish apocalyptic texts), but in NT usage, it is specifically focused on the event of Jesus' departure from earth. Unlike ἀνάστασις ('resurrection'), which involves rising from the dead, ἀνάληψις involves a living person ascending or being taken up. Later Christian tradition and translation typically render this as 'ascension' (cf. Latin 'ascensio'). English 'ascension' is a suitable translation, but should be understood specifically as a supernatural or divinely wrought taking up, not merely generic rising or departure. Some English translations use 'assumption,' but this could overlap with later theological usage concerning other figures.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀναλαμβάνω; ascension:--taking up.
Root Family
ἀνάληψις (analēpsis) — taking up, lifting up, receiving up, ascension
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G354-01 |
ἀναλήμψεως | analempseos | N GEN F SG |
of his ascension | of the taking up | of the taking up | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G354-01 |
Luke 9:51 | ἀναλήμψεως | analempseos | N GEN F SG |
of his ascension | of the taking up | of the taking up |