ἐξεγείρω

I raise up, arouse

Definition

The verb ἐξεγείρω means 'to raise up' or 'to arouse,' carrying a strong sense of causing something or someone to rise from a state of rest, inactivity, or even death. In its two New Testament occurrences, it is used in a passive sense to describe God's sovereign action. In Romans 9:17, it refers to God 'raising up' Pharaoh, not in a physical resurrection, but in the sense of bringing him onto the stage of history to demonstrate divine power. In 1 Corinthians 6:14, it is used literally for God's future act of raising believers from the dead through His own power.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in the passive voice to emphasize God as the agent of the action. In Romans 9:17, it describes God's providential raising of Pharaoh for a specific historical purpose. In 1 Corinthians 6:14, it is part of a doctrinal statement about the future bodily resurrection of believers, directly linked to God's power that raised Jesus. Both uses highlight divine sovereignty and power.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐξ (ex, meaning 'out of') and the common verb ἐγείρω (egeirō, G1453, meaning 'to awaken, to raise'). The compound form intensifies the base meaning, emphasizing a raising 'out of' a particular state or condition. It shares this root with other resurrection-related words in the New Testament.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects God's sovereign action in history (Romans 9:17) with His power in eschatological resurrection (1 Corinthians 6:14). It underscores that both the raising of individuals for His purposes and the future resurrection of believers are acts of divine initiative and power. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the consistent biblical theme of God as the ultimate source of life and purposeful action.

In a Greco-Roman context, the concept of being 'raised up' by a deity could imply being appointed or empowered for a role, similar to its use for Pharaoh. The idea of bodily resurrection, however, was foreign to mainstream Greek thought but central to Christian hope, making its use in 1 Corinthians 6:14 culturally counter-cultural and distinctly Christian.

ἐγείρω (egeirō, G1453) — The simpler root verb, a more general term for raising or awakening, used frequently for resurrection. ἀνίστημι (anistēmi, G450) — Often means 'to rise up' or 'to arise,' used for both standing up and resurrection, with a stronger focus on the act of rising itself.

Word Details

Scripture References