ἀνάλυσις
análysis
G359 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Unfastening, loosening, or dissolving; by extension, a departure, especially as a metaphor for death or leaving this life. In general Greek, refers to the process of loosening or dissolving bonds. In Koine and later Greek, commonly used as a metaphorical euphemism for departure from life (death).
Semantic Range
loosening, unbinding, dissolving, dissolution, release, departure (especially as a metaphor for death or leaving life)
Root / Etymology
From ἀναλύω (to loosen, to unbind, to depart), formed with the noun-forming suffix -σις indicating a process or result. Root is ἀνα- (up, back, again) + λύω (to loosen, release).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ἀνάλυσις rarely appears and denotes loosening, untying, or dissolving, particularly of physical objects such as knots or bonds. By Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term develops a metaphorical meaning as a euphemism for death—a 'dissolution' or 'departure,' particularly in philosophical, literary, and later Jewish-Greek and Christian sources. In Philippians 1:23, Paul uses ἀνάλυσις to describe his desire 'to depart,' using the word as a metaphor for dying and leaving this earthly existence; later Christian writers maintain this usage. The standard English translation 'departure' reflects the metaphorical sense, but the Greek term embeds the underlying concept of a process of release or untying. Not to be confused with the modern English 'analysis' (the breaking apart for study), which is a semantic development from the same root but with a distinct meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀναλύω; departure:--departure.
Root Family
ἀνάλυσις (analysis) — loosening, unbinding, dissolving, release, departure
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G359-01 |
ἀναλύσεώς | analuseos | N GEN F SG |
departure | of dissolution | departure | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G359-01 |
2 Timothy 4:6 | ἀναλύσεώς | analuseos | N GEN F SG |
departure | of dissolution | departure |