from πρός and ἀναλίσκω; to expend further:--spend.
Transliteration:prosanalískō
Pronunciation:pros-an-al-is'-ko
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb προσαναλίσκω (prosanalískō, `{{G4321}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition πρός (pros, "to, toward, in addition to") and the verb ἀναλίσκω (analískō, `{{G355}}`, "to consume, to spend, to use up, to destroy"). The base verb ἀναλίσκω denotes the act of using something up, often to the point of depletion or destruction. The prefix πρός intensifies or specifies this action, adding a nuance of "further," "in addition," or "completely/thoroughly" in relation to an ongoing process or a specific purpose. Therefore, προσαναλίσκω conveys the meaning "to expend further," "to spend in addition," or "to consume completely/exhaustively." It implies a thorough and often debilitating expenditure of resources.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term προσαναλίσκω appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 8:43]]**: "And a woman having a flow of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any."
In this poignant narrative, the verb προσαναλίσκω describes the desperate and exhaustive efforts of the woman with the hemorrhage. For twelve long years, she had suffered from a debilitating condition that rendered her ceremonially unclean and socially ostracized. The phrase "had spent all her living upon physicians" (πᾶσαν τὸν βίον προσαναλώσασα τοῖς ἰατροῖς) vividly communicates the extent of her financial ruin. The use of προσαναλίσκω here emphasizes that she had not merely spent some money, but had completely exhausted *all* her means, leaving her utterly destitute. This exhaustive expenditure underscores the futility of human remedies in her case, setting the stage for the miraculous and instantaneous healing she receives from Jesus, which required no financial outlay or prolonged treatment. Her complete financial depletion highlights her profound need and the ultimate failure of conventional solutions, making the divine intervention all the more striking.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding προσαναλίσκω is enhanced by examining related Greek terms and theological concepts:
* ἀναλίσκω (analískō, `{{G355}}`): The root verb, meaning "to consume, use up, destroy." Its usage can refer to literal consumption (e.g., fire consuming something) or figurative expenditure.
* δαπανάω (dapanáō, `{{G1159}}`): This verb means "to spend, to expend," often specifically referring to money or resources. It is a more general term for spending.
* ἐκδαπανάω (ekdapanáō, `{{G1589}}`): Meaning "to spend oneself out, to exhaust oneself completely." This word, used by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:15, often carries the connotation of self-expenditure for the sake of others, a complete giving of oneself. While προσαναλίσκω focuses on the *expenditure of resources*, ἐκδαπανάω often highlights the *expenditure of self*.
* **Concepts**: The passage in [[Luke 8:43]] implicitly deals with themes of human futility, desperation, financial ruin, and the limitations of worldly solutions. It contrasts these with divine power, immediate healing, and the sufficiency of Christ's grace. The concept of "exhaustion of resources" before divine intervention is a recurring biblical motif.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of προσαναλίσκω in [[Luke 8:43]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful literary and theological device to highlight the depth of the woman's suffering and the complete failure of human efforts to alleviate it.
1. **Exhaustion of Human Means**: The word graphically portrays a situation where all human avenues have been explored and exhausted. The woman had "spent all her living," indicating that no further earthly recourse was available to her. This state of utter destitution and hopelessness often precedes a divine breakthrough in biblical narratives, underscoring that God's power is most clearly demonstrated when human strength and resources have failed.
2. **Contrast with Divine Efficacy**: The futility implied by προσαναλίσκω stands in stark contrast to the immediate and effortless healing provided by Jesus. Her twelve years of suffering and exhaustive spending yielded no results, yet a simple touch of Jesus' garment brought instantaneous restoration. This highlights the qualitative difference between human limitations and divine omnipotence.
3. **Metaphor for Spiritual Bankruptcy**: The woman's physical and financial bankruptcy can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual bankruptcy. Just as she could not heal herself or purchase healing, humanity cannot achieve spiritual salvation or true healing through its own efforts, works, or expenditures. Only the freely given grace of God through Christ can provide what is truly needed.
4. **Emphasis on Grace**: By depicting the woman's complete expenditure, Luke emphasizes that her healing was not earned or bought, but was a pure act of grace. This reinforces the New Testament teaching that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works or human merit (e.g., [[Ephesians 2:8-9]]).
### Summary
προσαναλίσκω (prosanalískō, `{{G4321}}`) is a rare but potent Greek verb, meaning "to expend further" or "to consume completely/exhaustively." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Luke 8:43]] powerfully describes the woman with the hemorrhage who had "spent all her living" on physicians, yet remained unhealed. This exhaustive expenditure underscores the depth of her desperation and the utter futility of human efforts in her case. Theologically, the word highlights the limitations of human resources and the complete failure of worldly solutions, thereby magnificently setting the stage for the demonstration of Christ's unparalleled power and freely given grace, which alone can bring true and lasting healing. It serves as a poignant reminder that divine intervention often occurs when all human means have been exhausted, emphasizing that salvation and true restoration are gifts not earned, but received through faith.
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