ἀναλύω (G360) — Greek Lexicon

ἀναλύω

analýō

G360 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To loosen, unfasten, or release—literally to untie or cause to disassemble (such as breaking up a camp or ship's moorings); figuratively, to depart or set out, especially to leave life (as a euphemism for dying). In contexts relating to journeys, ἀναλύω refers to setting out, returning, or departing from a location. In metaphorical settings, it can mean to depart from earthly life.

Semantic Range

to loosen or disband (a physical object, like a camp or ship), to unmoor, to set out on a journey, to return, to depart, to depart from life (die)

Root / Etymology

From ἀνά (up, again) and λύω (to loosen, release). The compound emphasizes the action of releasing or unfastening more emphatically than the simplex.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀναλύω is used primarily in reference to physical unfastening—unmooring a ship, breaking up a camp, or setting out on a journey, sometimes for the homeward leg. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, its scope broadens to include departures generally, both literal and figurative. In the LXX and other Jewish Hellenistic writings, the word retains the sense of returning (notably, returning home). In the New Testament (cf. Philippians 1:23), ἀναλύω acquires a metaphorical sense of departing from life, likely as a euphemism for dying—the idea of 'breaking camp' or 'setting sail' from earthly existence. English translations often render the verb as 'depart,' which captures the general sense but is less evocative of the underlying imagery of unfastening or release. The root contrasts with more neutral terms for departure or journey (e.g., πορεύομαι, ἀπέρχομαι), as ἀναλύω carries overtones of release, disbanding, or the lifting of restraints.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and λύω; to break up, i.e. depart (literally or figuratively):--depart, return.

Root Family

ἀναλύω (analyō) — to loosen, to unfasten, to release

Root ἀνά-, λύ- to loosen, to unfasten, to release

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G360-01`	ἀναλῦσαι	analusai	`V AOR ACT INF`	depart	to loosen up and depart	to loosen up and depart	1
`G360-02`	ἀναλύσῃ	analuse	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he returns	he might unfasten	he returns	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G360-02`	Luke 12:36	ἀναλύσῃ	analuse	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he returns	he might unfasten	he returns
`G360-01`	Philippians 1:23	ἀναλῦσαι	analusai	`V AOR ACT INF`	depart	to loosen up and depart	to loosen up and depart

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