ἀνάψυξις
anápsyxis
G403 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A refreshing or recovery, especially a respite or relief from trouble or distress; in figurative contexts, a time or experience of renewed vigor, encouragement, or rest. The core meaning is a refreshing (in the sense of reinvigoration or comfort), but it may also refer more generally to a period or act of relief from hardship.
Semantic Range
refreshing, recovery, respite, relief, renewal, encouragement, restoration
Root / Etymology
From the verb ἀναψύχω ('to refresh, revive, recover, to cool by blowing'), itself formed from the preposition ἀνά ('up, again') and the verb ψύχω ('to breathe, to blow, to cool'). It denotes the act of restoring to a previous state of vitality or comfort.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The noun ἀνάψυξις is rare in extant Greek literature and appears in the New Testament only in Acts 3:19, where it refers to a 'time of refreshing' or 'respite' expected in the future. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, the root verb ἀναψύχω refers to literal recovery of breath, cooling off by breezes, or in a figurative sense, bringing comfort or relief from discouragement (cf. Polybius, Plutarch). In Acts, the word is used figuratively for a period of consolation, renewal, or divine favor, likely building on the Hellenistic-Jewish tradition of times of restoration or eschatological renewal without specifying a narrowly dogmatic interpretation. Early and later translations sometimes render it 'refreshment' or, less accurately, 'revival,' but the primary nuance is that of receiving relief or renewed vitality, not necessarily spiritual revival in the modern sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀναψύχω; properly, a recovery of breath, i.e. (figuratively) revival:--revival.
Root Family
ἀνάψυξις (anápsyxis) — refreshing, relief, renewal, recovery, restoration
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G403-01 |
ἀναψύξεως | anapsuxeos | N GEN F SG |
of refreshing | of refreshing | of refreshing | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G403-01 |
Acts 3:20 | ἀναψύξεως | anapsuxeos | N GEN F SG |
of refreshing | of refreshing | of refreshing |