511. anóteros

Lexical Summary

anóteros: Higher, upper

Original Word: ἀνώτερος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: anóteros
Pronunciation: a-NO-te-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (an-o'-ter-os)
KJV: above, higher
NASB: above, higher
Word Origin: [comparative degree of G507 (ἄνω - above)]

1. upper
2. (neuter as adverb) to a more conspicuous place, in a former part of the book

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

above, higher.

Comparative degree of ano; upper, i.e. (neuter as adverb) to a more conspicuous place, in a former part of the book -- above, higher.

see GREEK ano

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
cptv. of anó
Definition
higher
NASB Translation
above (1), higher (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 511: ἀνώτερος

ἀνώτερος, ἀνωτερα, ἀνώτερον (comparitive from ἄνω, cf. κατώτερος, see Winers Grammar, § 11, 2 c.; (Buttmann, 28 (24f))), higher. The neuter ἀνώτερον as adverb, higher;

a. of motion, to a higher place, (up higher): Luke 14:10.

b. of rest, in a higher place, above i. e. in the immediately preceding part of the passage quoted, Hob. 10:8. Similarly Polybius 3, 1, 1 τρίτῃ ἀνώτερον βίβλῳ. (In Leviticus 11:21, with a genitive.)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Conceptual Range

The term expresses the idea of a position “higher,” “upper,” or “above,” whether in spatial relations (a literal elevation) or in literary sequence (a statement that has already been made). In Scripture it therefore carries both physical and logical nuances, calling attention either to an exalted place or to a prior remark that governs what follows.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Luke 14:10 – spatial elevation within a banquet setting: “…‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests”.
2. Hebrews 10:8 – logical priority in a literary quotation: “In the passage above He says: ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them,’ which are offered in accordance with the law”.

Social and Historical Background

• First-century banquets were rigidly arranged by status. Seating closer to the host signaled honor; lower places implied lesser rank. Jesus’ directive to choose the lowest place subverts the culture’s fixation on status.
• Jewish exegetical practice often introduced earlier scriptural citations with a word meaning “above.” Hebrews follows that convention, anchoring its argument in the authoritative text previously quoted.

Theological Themes

1. Humility and Divine Exaltation
• Luke 14:10 illustrates the principle later restated by Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Choosing the lower seat recognizes God as the true Dispenser of honor (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6).
• The upward movement (“move up higher”) foreshadows the pattern of Christ Himself, who “humbled Himself” and was therefore “highly exalted” (Philippians 2:8-9).

2. Supremacy of Christ’s Sacrifice
• Hebrews 10:8 uses the adverb to point “above” to the earlier citation from Psalms, laying the groundwork for the conclusion in Hebrews 10:10 that “by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
• The contrast between offerings the Law prescribed and the once-for-all offering of Christ highlights the transition from shadow to substance (Hebrews 10:1).

Ministry Implications

• Leadership ethos: Pastors and ministry workers are called to take the lesser seat, allowing God to assign visible honor (Mark 10:43-44).
• Worship focus: Liturgical practices should direct attention “above” the rituals themselves to the completed work of Christ, avoiding any reliance on outward forms for acceptance with God.
• Teaching and preaching: Expositors should note how Hebrews models Christ-centered hermeneutics—beginning with an “above” citation and moving to fulfillment in Jesus.

Related Biblical Principles

• God opposes pride but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5).
• Earthly hierarchies are temporary; true greatness is measured by service (Matthew 23:11-12).
• The Old Covenant anticipates and yields to the New (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:13).

Summary

Whether signaling a higher seat at a feast or an earlier statement in sacred text, the word underscores two enduring truths: God elevates the humble, and Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice stands “above” every prior offering. Recognizing these truths shapes both personal character and corporate worship, directing all honor upward to the One who alone bestows it.

Forms and Transliterations

ανωτέραν ανωτέρας ανωτερον ανώτερον ἀνώτερον ανώτερος anoteron anōteron anṓteron

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 14:10 Adj-ANS
GRK: Φίλε προσανάβηθι ἀνώτερον τότε ἔσται
NAS: move up higher; then
KJV: Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou
INT: Friend come up higher Then will be

Hebrews 10:8 Adj-ANS
GRK: ἀνώτερον λέγων ὅτι
NAS: After saying above, SACRIFICES
KJV: Above when he said,
INT: Above saying

Strong's Greek 511
2 Occurrences

ἀνώτερον — 2 Occ.