ἀναψύχω
anapsýchō
G404 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To revive or refresh, primarily in a psychological or emotional sense. The verb denotes the act of providing relief, comfort, or renewal to someone who is weary or distressed. It is used figuratively, especially in later Greek and Koine, where it refers to restoring courage, cheer, or well-being rather than strict physical cooling or refreshing.
Semantic Range
to cool (literal); to revive, restore, refresh, cheer, provide relief or encouragement, renew psychologically or emotionally
Root / Etymology
From ἀνά (up, again, back) + ψύχω (to breathe, blow, make cool). Literally, 'to cool again' or 'to revive', but already in Hellenistic and Koine Greek the meaning shifts toward moral or emotional refreshment.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ψύχω originally meant 'to blow', 'to cool' (by blowing), indicating a physical process. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, ἀναψύχω is attested primarily in figurative senses, describing the renewal of spirit, encouragement, or alleviation of emotional weariness (e.g., Paul in 2 Tim 1:16 refers to Onesiphorus 'refreshing' him). The term is rare and occurs mainly in later literature, including the Septuagint and the New Testament, where the sense of emotional or spiritual refreshment predominates. English translations may use 'refresh', 'cheer', or 'comfort', none of which fully capture the combined sense of relief and revival implied in Koine usage. Distinct from physical 'cooling', the term underscores restoration of inner strength.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀνά and ψύχω; properly, to cool off, i.e. (figuratively) relieve:--refresh.
Root Family
ψυχ- (ekpsýchō) — to breathe, to blow, to expire
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1634 | ἐκψύχω | expired |
| G2711 | καταψύχω | may cool down |
| G5590 | ψυχή | living beings |
| G5591 | ψυχικός | soulish |
| G5592 | ψύχος | in coldness |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G404-01 |
ἀνέψυξεν | anepsuxen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
refreshed | he revived | refreshed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G404-01 |
2 Timothy 1:16 | ἀνέψυξεν | anepsuxen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
refreshed | he revived | refreshed |