ἀναγεννάω

I beget again, beget into a new life

Definition

The verb ἀναγεννάω means 'to beget again' or 'to cause to be born again.' It describes a spiritual rebirth initiated by God, not a physical one. In 1 Peter 1:3, it refers to God's act of giving believers a new, living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 1 Peter 1:23, it specifies that this rebirth comes through the imperishable seed of God's enduring word, contrasting with physical birth from perishable seed. Both uses emphasize a divine, transformative act that grants new spiritual life.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both in 1 Peter. It appears in contexts emphasizing the source and means of salvation. In 1 Peter 1:3, it highlights God's mercy as the cause of being 'born again' into a living hope. In 1 Peter 1:23, it explains that believers are 'born again' through the abiding word of God. The usage consistently points to a supernatural, spiritual regeneration distinct from natural human birth.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix ἀνά (ana), meaning 'again' or 'anew,' combined with γεννάω (gennaō), meaning 'to beget' or 'to bear.' The compound thus literally means 'to beget again.' It is not from ἀν- (a negating prefix) as sometimes mistakenly thought. The root γεννάω is common in Greek for procreation and is used in the New Testament for both physical birth (Matthew 1:2) and spiritual birth (John 3:3-8).

Semantic Range

This word is central to the doctrine of regeneration or the new birth. It underscores that salvation involves a transformative act of God, not human effort. The usage in 1 Peter connects rebirth to God's mercy (1:3) and His eternal word (1:23), highlighting divine initiative and the imperishable nature of the new life. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying that Christian conversion is a spiritual rebirth into a living hope, foundational to the believer's identity and inheritance.

In the Greco-Roman world, ideas of rebirth or renewal existed in some mystery religions, but these typically involved cyclical natural processes or ritual initiations. Peter's use of ἀναγεννάω, tied to God's mercy and word, presents a unique, once-for-all spiritual transformation grounded in historical resurrection. This differed from cultural notions by being monotheistic, based on divine action rather than ritual, and resulting in ethical living (as seen in 1 Peter's exhortations).

γεννάω (gennaō, G1080) — a broader term for begetting or bearing, used for both physical and spiritual birth without the 'again' nuance. παλιγγενεσία (palingenesia, G3824) — means 'regeneration' or 'new birth,' referring to the renewal of all things (Matthew 19:28) or the washing of rebirth (Titus 3:5), often with a cosmic or eschatological scope.

Word Details

Scripture References