ἄνοιξις
ánoixis
G457 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The act or process of opening, particularly of making something accessible or unsealed. In specific contexts, it denotes the physical 'opening' of a passage, such as the throat or a door, but can also refer more abstractly to the beginning or commencing of something. In medical or anatomical usage, commonly refers to the opening of the mouth or throat.
Semantic Range
act of opening, process of making an aperture, beginning/opening (of something), specifically opening of the mouth or throat
Root / Etymology
From the verb ἀνοίγω (to open); formed with the abstract noun ending -σις denoting action or process.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἄνοιξις is a rare noun in Koine Greek, with the principal attestation in Luke 1:64, where it describes the literal 'opening' of the mouth and tongue of Zechariah. The term is derived directly from ἀνοίγω, which is widely used for 'to open' in both physical and metaphorical senses. The form with -σις is common for action nouns in Greek. The noun is not widely attested in classical or Hellenistic sources, and its usage is primarily concrete rather than figurative. Standard English translations typically render it as 'opening,' but may sometimes supply words like 'mouth' or 'throat' for clarity; in the Lukan context, it describes the physical breaking of muteness. There is no evidence of a metaphorical or extended sense in first-century sources. Comparison: ἄνοιγμα can also denote an 'opening,' but is more flexible, often referring to apertures or gaps, while ἄνοιξις specifically emphasizes the act or result of opening. Attested from the Hellenistic period in technical writing, especially in medical texts, for openings of bodily passages.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀνοίγω; opening (throat):--X open.
Root Family
ἄνοιξις (anoixis) — opening, making accessible, unsealing, act of opening
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G457-01 |
ἀνοίξει | anoixei | N DAT F SG |
opening | to the opening | opening | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G457-01 |
Ephesians 6:19 | ἀνοίξει | anoixei | N DAT F SG |
opening | to the opening | opening |