ἀνεμίζω

I am blown with the wind

Definition

ἀνεμίζω (anemizō) means to be blown by the wind or driven by the wind, specifically referring to the tossing or agitation caused by a breeze. In its single New Testament occurrence, it vividly describes a person who doubts God's character and promises, portraying them as being as unstable and directionless as a wave of the sea that is churned and driven by the wind (James 1:6). The word emphasizes a lack of internal stability and a susceptibility to external forces, moving without a fixed course or purpose. It captures a state of being unsettled and restless, entirely at the mercy of changing circumstances.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in James 1:6. It is employed in a metaphorical context to illustrate the spiritual and emotional instability of a person who prays to God while doubting. The usage is part of a vivid nautical simile: 'But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.' Here, ἀνεμίζω works in tandem with the verb 'to toss' (ῥιπίζω, *rhipizō*, G4494) to paint a complete picture of chaotic, wind-driven motion.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek noun ἄνεμος (*anemos*, G417), meaning 'wind.' The verb form ἀνεμίζω literally means 'to be wind-driven' or 'to be acted upon by the wind.' It is a relatively rare verb, formed directly from this common root, and its meaning is transparently connected to the force and effect of the wind.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it provides a powerful metaphor for the nature of doubt in the life of a believer. James uses it to contrast faith—which is a settled trust in God's good character—with doubt, which is portrayed as a state of spiritual instability and double-mindedness (James 1:8). Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of James 1:6 by highlighting that doubt is not merely intellectual uncertainty but an active condition of being driven and controlled by external pressures, lacking the anchor of trust in God. It underscores the biblical call for wholehearted, unwavering faith.

For readers in the ancient Mediterranean world, familiar with sea travel, the imagery of a wind-tossed wave would have been immediately understood as a symbol of helplessness, danger, and lack of control. Ships and sailors were at the complete mercy of the winds, making this a potent metaphor for a life without the stabilizing foundation of faith in God. The cultural understanding of the sea's power makes the metaphor more forceful than it might be for a modern, land-locked audience.

ῥιπίζω (rhipizō, G4494) — In James 1:6, used alongside ἀνεμίζω to mean 'to toss' or 'to surge,' completing the image of a wave's violent motion. | σαλεύω (saleuō, G4531) — A more general term meaning 'to shake' or 'to agitate,' used for things shaken by wind or other forces (e.g., Luke 6:48).

Word Details

Scripture References