Lexical Summary anthomologeomai: To confess, to give thanks, to acknowledge Original Word: ἀνθομολογέομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance give thanks. From anti and the middle voice of homologeo; to confess in turn, i.e. Respond in praise -- give thanks. see GREEK anti see GREEK homologeo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anti and homologeó Definition to acknowledge fully, confess NASB Translation giving thanks (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 437: ἀνθομολογέομαιἀνθομολογέομαι, ἀνθομολγοῦμαι: (imperfect ἀνθωμολογουμην); (ἀντί and ὁμολογέομαι); in Greek writings (from Demosthenes down) 1. to reply by professing or by confessing. 2. to agree mutually (in turn), to make a compact. 3. "to acknowledge in the presence of (ἀντί before, over against; cf. ἐξομυλογεῖσθαι ἔναντι κυρίου, 2 Chronicles 7:6) anyone" (see Winer's De verb. comp. etc. Part iii., p. 19f): τάς ἁμαρτίας to confess sins, Josephus, Antiquities 8, 10, 3 (Bekker reads ἀνομολογουμενους); cf. 1 Esdr. 8:88 (90). τίνι, to declare something in honor of one, to celebrate his praises, give thanks to him, Luke 2:38; (for הודָה in Psalm 78:13 Strong’s Greek 437 marks a single New Testament verb that captures the idea of an answered or responsive thanksgiving—praise that rises the moment God’s saving work is perceived. Though used only once, it opens a window on the instinctive worship that characterizes authentic faith. Context of Luke 2:38 “Anna came up at that very moment and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38 The setting is the Jerusalem temple forty days after the birth of Jesus. Simeon has just pronounced his prophetic blessing (Luke 2:25-35). Anna, an aged prophetess who had lived in continual devotion, joins the scene and bursts into thanksgiving. The verb summarizes her twofold response: spontaneous worship directed upward and immediate testimony directed outward. The Prophetic Testimony of Anna • Recognition of the Messiah: Anna’s thanksgiving validates Simeon’s earlier proclamation and serves as a second witness under the Mosaic pattern of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). Patterns of Responsive Praise in Scripture While this exact verb occurs only here, Scripture repeatedly portrays immediate, situational thanksgiving: These parallels emphasize that authentic praise is not divorced from historical events; it springs from recognizing God’s concrete acts of salvation. Public Thanksgiving as Witness Anna’s praise is inseparable from proclamation. Thanksgiving validates testimony, while testimony amplifies thanksgiving. This pattern reappears when: In each case worship becomes evangelism. Christological Significance 1. Inauguration of the New Covenant: Anna’s praise signals that the long-awaited redemption is no longer future but present in the person of Jesus. Historical Background to Temple Praise Second Temple Judaism treasured psalms such as Psalm 118, regularly chanted by pilgrims. Anna’s thanksgiving fits within that liturgical environment yet is distinct: it centers not on past deliverance from Egypt or exile, but on a newborn Child. Thus her act represents a hinge between old liturgy and the worship of the emerging Church. Relation to Other New Testament Expressions of Thanksgiving Though different verbs are used, the New Testament consistently urges communal gratitude: Anna’s moment foreshadows these imperatives, showing that Christian thanksgiving is both continual and Christ-centered. Implications for Worship and Ministry 1. Attentiveness: Continuous devotion sensitizes believers to God’s activity. Practical Application Believers today emulate Anna when they: Thus Strong’s 437, though rare, encapsulates the vital dynamic of responsive, public, Christ-centered thanksgiving that continues to animate the Church’s worship and witness. |
    |