ἀνατρέφω

I rear, bring up

Definition

The verb ἀνατρέφω means to rear, bring up, or nurture, encompassing the full process of raising a child from infancy to maturity. It includes not only physical nourishment and care but also education and moral formation. In Acts 7:20-21, it describes Moses being 'nourished' or 'brought up' in his father's house for three months, emphasizing the initial, protective care of an infant. In Acts 22:3, Paul states he was 'brought up' in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, where the focus shifts to his advanced education and training in Jewish law.

Biblical Usage

ἀνατρέφω is used only three times in the New Testament, all in the book of Acts. In Acts 7:20 and 7:21, it refers to the early childhood care of Moses by his parents. In Acts 22:3, it describes Paul's rigorous religious and intellectual upbringing in Jerusalem. The pattern shows a progression from basic nurture (Acts 7) to formal education (Acts 22), illustrating the word's comprehensive scope.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀνά (ana, often meaning 'up' or 'again') and the verb τρέφω (trephō, 'I nourish' or 'I feed'). The compound suggests the idea of 'nourishing up' or 'rearing,' indicating a sustained process of care that leads to growth and development. It is not from ἀν- (a negative prefix) as previously noted; that was an error.

Semantic Range

This word highlights the divine providence in human development. In Moses' story (Acts 7:20-21), God's hand is seen preserving and preparing a deliverer through familial care. For Paul (Acts 22:3), his specific upbringing under Gamaliel equipped him with the deep knowledge of the Law that later informed his ministry and epistles. Understanding this term enriches our view of how God sovereignly uses the entire process of upbringing—from childhood nurture to advanced training—to prepare individuals for His purposes.

In the Greco-Roman and Jewish world, 'bringing up' a child was a holistic endeavor involving the family and, for elite males like Paul, formal tutors or rabbis. It signified more than just providing food; it was an investment in forming a person's character, intellect, and religious identity to become a functioning member of society. Paul's claim of being 'brought up' in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3) was a claim to authentic, elite Jewish credentials.

τρέφω (trephō, G5142) — focuses more narrowly on the act of feeding or nourishing physically. παιδεύω (paideuō, G3811) — emphasizes education, discipline, and instruction, more on the training aspect than the holistic rearing.

Word Details

Scripture References