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ἀνίημι

aníēmi

G447 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Basic meaning: to release, let go, loosen. Extended senses: to cease, desist, give up (an action, pursuit, or obligation), to allow something to lapse or relax (such as rules, efforts), to hand over, to let pass or cease. In literal contexts, refers to loosening (ropes, ties). In figurative and legal contexts, denotes ceasing from an activity or obligation, or giving up a claim.

Semantic Range

to release, to loosen, to let go, to cease, to desist from, to relax (effort or rule), to remit (a claim), to forgo, to hand over, to leave off

Root / Etymology

From ἀνά (up, back) + ἵημι (to send, to let go). The compound thus originally carried the sense of sending up or away, hence relaxing or letting go.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀνίημι is used both literally, to refer to events like loosening moorings (ships) or releasing physical restraint, and figuratively, for ceasing or yielding in pursuit, conflict, or effort. In Koine Greek, including the New Testament and related literature, it occurs in both senses: for instance, in Acts 16:26 it describes the loosening of prisoners' bonds, while in 2 Corinthians 12:8 it expresses the idea of ceasing or desisting from continued petition. The primary sense remains that of 'releasing' or 'ceasing.' The Septuagint uses it in legal and ritual contexts, where it can mean to remit or forgo claims. English translations often obscure this range, frequently rendering it as 'leave,' 'forsake,' 'forbear,' or 'let go,' which may mask the nuance of cessation or formal release. It does not carry the positive or negative connotations of abandonment that some translations imply but centers on the act of ending, releasing, or relaxing (an effort, claim, rule, or physical bond). It does not denote desertion in the sense of betrayal but rather indicates a deliberate cessation or release.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and (to send); to let up, i.e. (literally) slacken or (figuratively) desert, desist from:--forbear, leave, loose.

Root Family

ἀνίημι (aniēmi) — to let go, to release, to loosen, to cease

Root ἵημι to let go, to send, to release

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G447-03 ἀνιέντες anientes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL forbearing letting go letting go 1
G447-04 ἀνῶ ano V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG I will leave above I will leave 1
G447-02 ἀνέθη anethe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG were unfastened was released were unfastened 1
G447-01 ἀνέντες anentes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having loosed having let go having let go 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G447-02 Acts 16:26 ἀνέθη anethe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG were unfastened was released were unfastened
G447-01 Acts 27:40 ἀνέντες anentes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having loosed having let go having let go
G447-03 Ephesians 6:9 ἀνιέντες anientes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL forbearing letting go letting go
G447-04 Hebrews 13:5 ἀνῶ ano V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG I will leave above I will leave
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