Word Study for G461 (ἀνορθόω)

anorthóō /an-orth-o'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἀνά and a derivative of the base of ὀρθός

Meaningto straighten up

KJV usagelift (set) up, make straight.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of anorthóō — 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 anorthóō, represented by G461, means to straighten up, lift up, or make straight. Derived from ἀνά and a derivative of ὀρθός, it appears 4 times across 3 unique verses, signifying its application in contexts of both physical and metaphorical restoration.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G461 describes different forms of restoration. In Luke, it portrays a literal, physical healing where a woman, after having hands laid on her, was immediately made straight and glorified God Luke 13:13. The word is used metaphorically in Hebrews as an exhortation to believers to lift up hands that hang down and feeble knees, encouraging spiritual renewal and strength Hebrews 12:12. Prophetically, it is used in Acts to describe God's promise to set up the fallen tabernacle of David, signifying a divine act of covenantal restoration Acts 15:16.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of weakness and restoration connected to G461:

G3935 paríēmi (to let by, i.e. relax): This word describes the state of weakness that requires intervention, such as the hands that hang down which are to be lifted up Hebrews 12:12.
G3886 paralýō (to loosen beside, i.e. relax (perfect passive participle, paralyzed or enfeebled)): Directly contrasting the action of G461, this word denotes the feeble condition of the knees that need strengthening Hebrews 12:12.
G456 anoikodoméō (to rebuild): Used alongside G461 in the context of prophecy, this term emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's restoration, as He promises to build again the fallen tabernacle of David Acts 15:16.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G461 is seen in its application to God's restorative power:

Divine Healing: The immediate physical healing of the woman demonstrates Christ's authority over infirmity. Her being made straight leads directly to her glorifying God G1392, linking physical restoration to worship Luke 13:13.
Spiritual Encouragement: The command to lift up weak hands and knees serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual perseverance. It calls believers to find renewed strength and resolve in their faith, especially during times of trial Hebrews 12:12.
Covenantal Faithfulness: God's promise to set up the fallen tabernacle of David points to His ultimate faithfulness. This act of restoration is not merely structural but is a fulfillment of His covenant promises to His people Acts 15:16.

Summary

In summary, G461 is a dynamic term that moves from the literal to the metaphorical and prophetic. It captures the essence of divine intervention, whether in making a bent body straight, exhorting a weary spirit to stand firm, or promising the restoration of a fallen nation. The word illustrates God's power to lift up, make straight, and rebuild what is broken, weak, or has fallen down.

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

Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Future Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.

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 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke, Acts, and Hebrews (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

Luke

Acts

Hebrews

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.