ἀνθομολογέομαι

I confess, give thanks to

Definition

The verb ἀνθομολογέομαι means to confess openly or to give thanks in a responsive, public manner. It carries the sense of a reciprocal acknowledgment, often implying a declaration made in response to something, such as God's actions. In its sole New Testament occurrence, Luke 2:38, it describes Anna the prophetess 'giving thanks to God' and speaking about the child Jesus to those awaiting Jerusalem's redemption. The word blends the ideas of grateful praise and public testimony.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 2:38. It describes the action of Anna, an elderly prophetess, after she encounters the infant Jesus in the temple. The context is one of devout, expectant worship, where she responds to God's fulfillment of promise with public thanksgiving and proclamation to others who shared her hope for redemption.

Etymology

Derived from ἀντί (anti), meaning 'in return' or 'corresponding to,' and ὁμολογέω (homologeō, G3670), meaning 'to confess' or 'to agree.' Thus, it literally means 'to confess in return' or 'to make a corresponding statement,' emphasizing a responsive or reciprocal declaration, often of praise or acknowledgment.

Semantic Range

This word highlights the responsive nature of true worship and testimony. Anna's action models how encountering God's salvation (in Christ) naturally leads to grateful, public acknowledgment and sharing the good news with others. It connects personal devotion with corporate witness, showing thanksgiving as an active, declarative response to God's faithfulness.

In the Jewish context of Luke's Gospel, public thanksgiving and testimony in the temple were integral to piety. Anna's action aligns with patterns of praise seen in the Psalms and prophetic responses to God's acts. The term's nuance of reciprocal acknowledgment may reflect liturgical or responsive forms of prayer and confession within Jewish worship.

ὁμολογέω (homologeō, G3670) — a more general term for confessing or acknowledging, without the specific nuance of responsive praise. ἐξομολογέω (exomologeō, G1843) — often means to confess (sins) or to profess/praise openly, sometimes with a public emphasis, but not inherently reciprocal.

Word Details

Scripture References