English · KJV
G352

ἀνακύπτω

anakýptō /an-ak-oop'-to/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἀνά (in the sense of reversal) and κύπτω
Meaningto unbend, i.e. rise; figuratively, be elated
KJV usagelift up, look up.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of anakýptō — 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 anakýptō, represented by G352, means to unbend or rise up. Figuratively, it can also mean to be elated. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, describing both a literal physical action and a posture of hopeful expectation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G352 is used to illustrate a change in posture or state. It describes Jesus as he twice "lifted up himself" before speaking with authority to the crowd and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:7, John 8:10). In a contrasting physical sense, it is used to describe a woman with an infirmity who was so "bowed together" that she "could in no wise lift up herself" Luke 13:11. The term also carries a command for the future, where believers are told to "look up" in anticipation as their redemption approaches Luke 21:28.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G352:

  • G4794 synkýptō (to stoop altogether, i.e. be completely overcome by): This word is used in direct opposition to G352. The woman who was "bowed together" G4794 was unable to "lift up" G352 herself, highlighting her physical bondage Luke 13:11.
  • G1869 epaírō (to raise up (literally or figuratively)): This term is used in conjunction with G352 to emphasize a complete upward orientation. In Luke 21:28, believers are commanded to "look up" G352 and also to "lift up" G1869 their heads.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G352 is centered on the contrast between a state of oppression and one of restoration or hope.

  • Physical Posture as Spiritual State: The inability to "lift up" G352 in Luke 13:11 symbolizes a state of being "bowed together" and overcome by infirmity. The act of straightening up, therefore, signifies healing and release from bondage.
  • A Posture of Hope: The command to "look up" G352 in Luke 21:28 is an act of faith and elation. It is the proper response for those awaiting redemption, turning their focus from earthly troubles to divine deliverance.
  • Christ's Authority: In John's Gospel, Jesus physically "lifted up himself" G352 before delivering judgment and grace, framing his words with a posture of authority (John 8:7, John 8:10).

Summary

In summary, G352 conveys more than a simple physical movement. It is a word that contrasts the state of being bent over and oppressed with the act of rising up in either physical restoration, authoritative action, or hopeful anticipation. From the woman unable to stand straight to the believer looking up for redemption, anakýptō illustrates the transition from a lower to a higher state.

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 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
  • Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
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.

G4794 συγκύπτω from σύν and κύπτω; to stoop altogether, i.e. be completely overcome by:--bow together. G1869 ἐπαίρω from ἐπί and αἴρω; to raise up (literally or figuratively):--exalt self, poise (lift, take) up.

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 4 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and John (2 verses each); never once in the other 25.

2
Luke
2
John

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.