English · KJV
G134

αἰνέω

ainéō /ahee-neh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom αἶνος
Meaningto praise (God)
KJV usagepraise.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ainéō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ainéō, represented by G134, means to praise, specifically in the context of praising God. It appears 10 times in 9 unique verses, indicating a focused and significant use. Its base definition, "from αἶνος; to praise (God)," establishes it as a term of worship and adoration directed toward the divine.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G134 is consistently depicted as a response to a direct encounter with God's power or presence. A heavenly host uses the word to praise God at the announcement of Jesus' birth Luke 2:13. The disciples praise God with a loud voice after witnessing his mighty works Luke 19:37. After being miraculously healed, a man is seen "walking, and leaping, and praising God" in the temple Acts 3:8. This act of praise is also characteristic of the early church, which was "continually in the temple, praising and blessing God" Luke 24:53.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the scope and nature of praise:

  • G1392 doxázō (to render glorious): This term is often used alongside G134 to describe a complete act of worship. The shepherds, for example, returned from the nativity "glorifying and praising God" Luke 2:20.
  • G1867 epainéō (to applaud): This word, translated as "laud," appears in parallel with G134 in the command for all people to give honor to the Lord Romans 15:11.
  • G2127 eulogéō (to bless): This signifies speaking well of God and is paired with G134 to describe the believers' continuous worship in the temple Luke 24:53.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G134 is evident in its specific application in worship.

  • Response to Revelation: Praise is not an abstract duty but a direct reaction to God's self-revelation. It occurs after mighty works are seen Luke 19:37, after a healing Acts 3:8, and after the message of an angel Luke 2:13.
  • Corporate Worship: The act of praising God is frequently a communal one. It is performed by a "multitude of the heavenly host" Luke 2:13, the "whole multitude of the disciples" Luke 19:37, and the early church as a body of believers Acts 2:47.
  • Universal Call: The command to praise extends beyond any single group. It is issued to "all ye Gentiles" Romans 15:11 and to all God's servants, "both small and great" Revelation 19:5, establishing praise as a universal imperative.

Summary

In summary, G134 defines a specific and crucial act of worship. It is more than simple commendation; it is an outpouring of adoration directed exclusively at God in response to His works and presence. Whether expressed by an individual experiencing a miracle or by the entire heavenly host, ainéō captures the essence of joyful and grateful worship that is central to the life of faith. It is a foundational element that connects believers on earth to the activity of heaven.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 3×
  • Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 2×
  • Present Active Infinitive 1×
  • Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G1392 δοξάζω from δόξα; to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application):--(make) glorify(-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, G1867 ἐπαινέω from ἐπί and αἰνέω; to applaud:--commend, laud, praise. G2127 εὐλογέω from a compound of εὖ and λόγος; to speak well of, i.e. (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, pros

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (4 verses); never once in the other 23.

4
Luke
3
Acts
1
Romans
1
Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.