### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀνατρέφω (anatréphō, `{{G397}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἀνά (ana), meaning "up" or "again," and the verb τρέφω (trephō, `{{G5142}}`), which signifies "to nourish," "to feed," or "to rear." The combination yields a semantic range that extends beyond mere physical sustenance to encompass the comprehensive process of "bringing up" or "rearing" an individual. This includes providing physical care and nourishment, but crucially, it also denotes mental, intellectual, and even moral formation. Thus, ἀνατρέφω implies a holistic upbringing, encompassing education, training, and the development of character, akin to nurturing a plant to full growth or guiding a child to maturity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀνατρέφω appears twice in the New Testament, both times within the book of Acts, offering distinct yet complementary insights into its meaning:
1. **[[Acts 7:20]]**: In Stephen's sermon, recounting the life of Moses, he states, "At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly beautiful. He was nourished (ἀνατρέφω) for three months in his father’s house." Here, the word primarily denotes the physical care and initial rearing provided by Moses' parents. It emphasizes the foundational period of early childhood when a child is nurtured and sustained within the family unit, highlighting the immediate and intimate act of parental provision.
2. **[[Acts 22:3]]**: In his defense before the crowd in Jerusalem, Paul declares, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up (ἀνατρέφω) in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, just as you all are today." This usage significantly expands the semantic scope of ἀνατρέφω. Paul's statement refers not merely to physical sustenance but to his rigorous intellectual and spiritual training under Gamaliel, a renowned Pharisaic teacher. "Brought up at the feet of Gamaliel" is an idiom for intensive discipleship and formal education. This verse underscores the "mental" and "educational" aspect of ἀνατρέφω, signifying a comprehensive formation that shaped Paul's worldview, theological understanding, and zealous commitment to the Law.
Together, these occurrences demonstrate the dual nature of ἀνατρέφω: it can refer to the physical and immediate care of infancy, as well as the profound and long-term intellectual and spiritual education that shapes an adult.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek terms share conceptual ground with ἀνατρέφω, illuminating its nuances:
* **τρέφω (trephō, `{{G5142}}`)**: The root verb, meaning "to nourish," "to feed," or "to bring up." ἀνατρέφω often implies a more complete or intensive form of this basic action.
* **ἐκτρέφω (ektrefō, `{{G1625}}`)**: Another compound of τρέφω, meaning "to nourish up" or "to bring up." It is used in Ephesians 5:29 regarding a man nourishing and cherishing his own flesh. While similar, ἀνατρέφω seems to carry a stronger implication of formal training or education in its broader usage.
* **παιδεύω (paideuō, `{{G3811}}`)**: To educate, train, discipline, or instruct. This verb focuses more explicitly on the pedagogical aspect, often involving correction or chastisement for the purpose of moral and intellectual development. Paul's upbringing "at the feet of Gamaliel" would certainly fall under the purview of παιδεύω.
* **ἐκπαιδεύω (ekpaideuō, `{{G1622}}`)**: To educate thoroughly or train completely. This intensifies the meaning of παιδεύω, much as ἀνατρέφω intensifies τρέφω.
* **διδάσκω (didaskō, `{{G1321}}`)**: To teach or instruct. This emphasizes the transmission of knowledge.
* **Concepts**: Parental care, guardianship, education, discipleship, formation, nurture, and the transmission of tradition or values.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀνατρέφω lies in its emphasis on the formative power of upbringing and instruction.
1. **Divine Providence and Human Care**: In the case of Moses, his being "nourished up" points to God's providential care working through human agents (his parents) to preserve a life destined for a pivotal role in salvation history. It underscores the sanctity of early life and the foundational role of the family in God's design.
2. **The Importance of Spiritual and Intellectual Formation**: Paul's use of ἀνατρέφω to describe his education under Gamaliel highlights the profound impact of rigorous theological and intellectual training. It demonstrates that spiritual leaders are not merely called but also shaped by their environment and instruction. While Paul's initial zeal was misguided, his thorough "bringing up" in the Law provided a robust framework for his later understanding and articulation of the Gospel, demonstrating how God can redeem and repurpose human formation for His divine purposes.
3. **Responsibility of Nurturing**: The word implicitly carries a theological weight regarding the responsibility of parents, teachers, and spiritual mentors. To "bring up" (ἀνατρέφω) is a sacred trust, involving not just physical provision but the holistic development of an individual—spiritually, intellectually, and morally—in accordance with God's truth. This resonates with the broader biblical emphasis on training children in the way they should go ([[Proverbs 22:6]]) and discipling believers to maturity.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἀνατρέφω (anatréphō, `{{G397}}`) signifies a comprehensive process of "bringing up" or "rearing," encompassing both physical nourishment and mental/intellectual formation. Its two New Testament occurrences in Acts provide a rich illustration: it describes Moses' early physical care within his family ([[Acts 7:20]]) and Paul's rigorous intellectual and spiritual education under Gamaliel ([[Acts 22:3]]). This dual usage underscores the word's capacity to denote a holistic upbringing, from basic sustenance to advanced theological training. Theologically, ἀνατρέφω highlights God's providential care, the profound impact of upbringing on individual identity and destiny, and the sacred responsibility of those entrusted with nurturing others in body, mind, and spirit.
TRV