Lexical Summary anapauó: To rest, to refresh, to give rest Original Word: ἀναπαύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance take ease, refresh, give rest. From ana and pauo; (reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication, to refresh -- take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest. see GREEK ana see GREEK pauo HELPS Word-studies 373 anapaúō (from 303 /aná, "up, completing a process," which intensifies 3973 /paúō, "pause") – properly, to give (experience) rest after the needed task is completed; to pause (rest) "after precious toil and care" (Vine/Unger, White, NT). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and pauó Definition to give rest, give intermission from labor, by impl. refresh NASB Translation give...rest (1), refresh (1), refreshed (3), rest (3), resting (2), rests (1), take your ease (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 373: ἀναπαύωἀναπαύω: future ἀναπαύσω; 1 aorist ἀνεπαυσα; perfect passive ἀναπέπαυμαι; middle (present ἀναπαύομαι); future ἀναπαύσομαι (Revelation 6:11 (Lachmann edition min., Tdf. editions 2, 7, WH; but G L T Tr with R ἀναπαύσωνται)), and in the colloquial speech of inferior Greek ἀναπαήσομαι (Revelation 14:13 L T Tr WH, cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) (57) especially English translation, p. 64f; Kühner, 1:886; (Tdf. Proleg., p. 123; WHs Appendix, p. 170); see also in ἐπαναπαύω); 1 aorist ἀνεπαυσάμην; (a common verb from Homer down): "to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover and collect his strength" (note the prefix ανἄ and distinguish from καταπαύω (see ἀνάπαυσις, at the end)), to give rest, refresh; middle to give oneself rest, take rest. So in the middle voice, absolutely of rest after traveling, Mark 6:31; and for taking sleep, Matthew 26:45; Mark 14:41; of the sweet repose one enjoys after toil, Luke 12:19; to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation, Revelation 6:11: of the blessed rest of the dead, Revelation 14:13 (ἐκ τῶν κόπων exempt from toils (cf. Buttmann, 158 (138)); Plato, Critias in. ἐκ μακρᾶς ὁδοῦ). By a Hebraism (עַל נוּחַ, Isaiah 11:2) τό πνεῦμα ἐφ' ὑμᾶς ἀναπαύεται rests upon you, to actuate you, 1 Peter 4:14. Active: to refresh, the soul of anyone: τινα, Matthew 11:28; τό πνεῦμα τίνος, 1 Corinthians 16:18; τά σπλάγχνα τίνος, Philemon 1:20. In passive, Philemon 1:7; 2 Corinthians 7:13 (ἀπό πάντων ὑμῶν from your sight, attentions, contact). (Compare: ἐπιπαύω, συνπαύω (συνπαύομαι).) Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Thematic Range Strong’s Greek 373 traces a unified scriptural motif of rest, refreshment, and relief. Whether the setting is bodily fatigue, strained emotions, spiritual weariness, or the hope of final glory, the verb gathers all of life’s burdens into the promise that God Himself brings true repose. Physical Rest in the Gospel Narratives In the Synoptic Gospels the verb appears on Jesus’ lips as compassionate provision for tired disciples. “Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while” (Mark 6:31). This invitation follows intense ministry and anticipates renewed service, illustrating that rest is not escapism but preparation for further obedience. Conversely, in Gethsemane Jesus chides the disciples, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near” (Matthew 26:45; Mark 14:41). Missed rest here exposes spiritual dullness; when prayer is traded for slumber, the flesh betrays the spirit. Thus physical rest, though legitimate, submits to the urgency of redemptive history. Rest through Union with Christ Matthew 11:28 stands as the fountainhead: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The promised rest is more than relief from toil. By taking Christ’s yoke, believers experience covenant fellowship, gentle lordship, and heart-level peace. The verse directly echoes Jeremiah 6:16 and thereby positions Jesus as the fulfillment of the ancient call to walk in the good way and find rest for the soul. Rest as Refreshment in Christian Fellowship Paul repeatedly employs the verb for the ministry of encouragement. Philemon “refreshed the hearts of the saints” (Philemon 1:7) and is urged, “Refresh my heart in Christ” (Philemon 1:20). Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus “refreshed my spirit and yours” (1 Corinthians 16:18). Titus’ spirit “has been refreshed by all of you” (2 Corinthians 7:13). In each case the refreshment is communal, Spirit‐energized, and Christ‐centered. Genuine fellowship is not mere social relief; it channels divine rest to weary servants, knitting hearts together in shared grace. The Spirit’s Resting Presence Peter declares, “the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Peter 4:14) when believers suffer reproach for Christ. Far from being abandoned, the persecuted experience the Shekinah‐like settling of God’s presence. This rest is not the absence of trial but the indwelling glory that equips saints to rejoice amid fiery ordeals. Rest Misconstrued: The Parable of the Rich Fool Luke 12:19 puts the verb on the lips of the rich fool: “Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry.” Here rest is self‐indulgent complacency severed from gratitude to God and awareness of eternity. The sudden divine verdict (“You fool! This very night your life will be required of you”) exposes the vanity of rest pursued without reference to God’s kingdom. Eschatological Rest in Revelation Revelation lifts the theme to its consummation. The martyrs “were told to rest a little while longer” (Revelation 6:11), assuring them that righteous judgment will come in God’s timing. Later, a heavenly voice proclaims, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on… they will rest from their labors” (Revelation 14:13). Final rest is portrayed as blessed reward, conscious relief, and continuation of identity (“their deeds will follow them”). Earthly toil for Christ accrues eternal significance; death cannot sever the fruit of faithful labor. Christological Fulfillment of Sabbath Rest Though the verb itself does not appear in Hebrews, the concept of “Sabbath rest” (Hebrews 4) illuminates its broader theology. Jesus offers rest that fulfills the shadow of the seventh day and the promised land. Every occurrence of Strong’s 373 is therefore a living echo of God’s ancient pledge that His people will dwell securely under His completed work. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Balance: Legitimate physical rest replenishes ministry vitality (Mark 6:31), yet watchfulness remains essential (Matthew 26:45). Doctrine and Assurance Scripture unites temporal and eternal rest in the person of Christ: He grants immediate soul‐peace, ongoing refreshment through the Spirit and the church, and ultimate rest in glory. The 12 appearances compile a coherent testimony: God’s rest is neither passive lethargy nor hedonistic ease; it is active participation in the life of God, secured by the finished work of Jesus and ministered by the Spirit until the consummation of all things. Forms and Transliterations αναπαησονται ἀναπαήσονται αναπαυεσθε αναπαύεσθε ἀναπαύεσθε αναπαυεται αναπαύεται ἀναπαύεται αναπαυόμενα αναπαυόμενος αναπαυομένων αναπαυου αναπαύου ἀναπαύου ανάπαυσαι αναπαύσασθαι αναπαυσασθε ἀναπαύσασθε αναπαύσει αναπαύσεται αναπαύση αναπαύσηται αναπαύσομαι αναπαυσον ανάπαυσόν ἀνάπαυσόν αναπαυσονται αναπαύσονται ἀναπαύσονται αναπαυσω αναπαύσω ἀναπαύσω αναπαύσωμαι αναπαύσωνται αναπέπαυμαι αναπεπαυται αναπέπαυται ἀναπέπαυται ανεπαυσάμην ανεπαυσαν ανέπαυσαν ἀνέπαυσαν ανεπαύσαντο ανεπαύσατο ανέπαυσε ανέπαυσεν anapaesontai anapaēsontai anapaḗsontai anapauesthe anapaúesthe anapauetai anapaúetai anapauou anapaúou anapausasthe anapaúsasthe anapauso anapausō anapaúso anapaúsō anapauson anápausón anapausontai anapaúsontai anapepautai anapépautai anepausan anépausanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:28 V-FIA-1SGRK: πεφορτισμένοι κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς NAS: and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. KJV: will give you rest. INT: are burdened and I will give rest you Matthew 26:45 V-PIM-2P Mark 6:31 V-AMM-2P Mark 14:41 V-PIM-2P Luke 12:19 V-PMM-2S 1 Corinthians 16:18 V-AIA-3P 2 Corinthians 7:13 V-RIM/P-3S Philemon 1:7 V-RIM/P-3S Philemon 1:20 V-AMA-2S 1 Peter 4:14 V-PIM-3S Revelation 6:11 V-FIM-3P Revelation 14:13 V-FIP-3P Strong's Greek 373 |
    |