### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word βάσις (básis, `{{G939}}`) is derived from the verb βαίνω, meaning "to walk" or "to step." Its primary semantic range encompasses concepts related to movement and support. Fundamentally, it denotes "a pace" or "a step," referring to the act of walking. By implication, this leads to its more common usage as "the foot" – the anatomical part of the body upon which one stands and by which one walks. The term inherently carries the nuance of a "base" or "foundation," emphasizing the part that bears weight and provides stability for locomotion. In classical Greek, it could also refer to a pedestal or the base of a column, further underscoring its foundational aspect. In the New Testament, its usage is notably limited, appearing only once.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word βάσις (básis, `{{G939}}`) appears exclusively in [[Acts 3:7]] within the New Testament. This sole occurrence is found in the narrative of Peter and John healing the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. The passage reads: "And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." Here, βάσις is translated as "feet" and is paired with σφυδρά (sphudra), "ankle bones."
The context is crucial: the man had been lame from birth, unable to walk or stand. The immediate strengthening of his "feet" (βάσις) and ankles signifies a complete and instantaneous restoration of his ability to bear weight and move. The use of βάσις here emphasizes the foundational parts of the leg necessary for standing and walking, highlighting the miraculous and thorough nature of the healing. It is not merely a partial recovery but a full restoration of the body's natural "base" for locomotion, enabling the man to then stand, walk, and leap, praising God ([[Acts 3:8]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological root of βάσις (básis, `{{G939}}`) is the verb βαίνω (to walk, to step), which underscores its connection to movement and stability. While βάσις refers specifically to the "foot" as a foundation for walking, the more common Greek word for the anatomical "foot" is πούς (pous, `{{G4228}}`). The choice of βάσις in [[Acts 3:7]] alongside "ankle bones" suggests a focus on the entire supportive structure of the lower leg that enables standing and walking, rather than just the foot as an appendage.
Related concepts include:
* **Stability and Foundation:** The inherent meaning of "base" or "foundation" points to the idea of stability, contrasting sharply with the man's prior state of complete instability and inability to stand.
* **Locomotion:** The word is intrinsically linked to the act of walking, running, and leaping, all of which the healed man immediately demonstrates.
* **Healing and Restoration:** The context places βάσις within a powerful narrative of divine healing, where a fundamental physical incapacity is completely reversed.
### Theological Significance
Though βάσις (básis, `{{G939}}`) is a concrete, anatomical term, its singular and prominent appearance in the New Testament carries significant theological weight. The healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate is one of the early and most dramatic miracles performed by the apostles, serving as a powerful demonstration of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ working through them.
1. **Divine Power and Completeness:** The immediate strengthening of the man's "feet" (βάσις) and ankle bones signifies God's complete and instantaneous power to restore. It was not a gradual recovery but a sudden infusion of strength into the very "base" of his ability to function. This miracle testifies to the comprehensive nature of divine intervention.
2. **Physical Manifestation of Spiritual Truth:** The physical healing of the básis serves as a tangible sign pointing to deeper spiritual realities. Just as the man's physical foundation for walking was restored, so too does the Gospel offer a spiritual foundation for a new life, enabling individuals to "walk" in righteousness and freedom.
3. **Empowerment for Witness:** The restored básis allowed the man not only to walk but to enter the Temple, "walking, and leaping, and praising God" ([[Acts 3:8]]). His physical restoration immediately led to public worship and became a powerful testimony to the crowds, drawing attention to the power of Jesus' name ([[Acts 3:16]]). This illustrates how God's physical blessings can empower individuals for spiritual witness and worship.
### Summary
The Greek word βάσις (básis, `{{G939}}`) fundamentally denotes "the foot" or "a base," deriving from the concept of walking or stepping. Its singular appearance in the New Testament in [[Acts 3:7]] is profoundly significant. In the miraculous healing of the lame man, the strengthening of his básis (feet) and ankle bones underscores the immediate, complete, and divine power of God to restore fundamental human capabilities. This physical restoration not only enabled the man to walk and leap but also served as a powerful public sign of the resurrected Christ's authority, empowering the man for worship and witness, thereby pointing to the transformative and foundational power of God's intervention in human lives.
TRV