μετεωρίζομαι

I am anxious

Definition

The verb μετεωρίζομαι literally means 'to be lifted up' or 'to be suspended in the air,' carrying the metaphorical sense of being unsettled, anxious, or in a state of anxious suspense. In its sole New Testament occurrence, Luke 12:29, it is used metaphorically to describe the inner turmoil of being overly concerned about material needs like food and drink. The word paints a picture of a mind that is 'up in the air,' tossed about by worry, rather than being grounded in trust. This metaphorical usage from the physical act of being suspended or raised high is its primary biblical meaning.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 12:29. Jesus employs it in the context of his teaching on God's provision and the folly of anxiety. He commands his disciples, 'And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried (μὴ μετεωρίζεσθε).' Here, it describes the specific mental state of anxious preoccupation with earthly, material concerns, directly contrasting with a life of faith and seeking God's kingdom.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek adjective μετέωρος (meteōros), meaning 'high in the air, raised aloft, lofty.' This adjective itself comes from μετά (meta, 'in the midst of') and ἀείρω (aeirō, 'to lift, raise up'). Thus, the verb μετεωρίζομαι, being in the passive voice, literally means 'to be raised up' or 'to be suspended.' Its meaning developed from the literal physical sense to the metaphorical sense of a mind being 'up in the air'—unsettled, in suspense, or anxious.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures the essence of anxiety that Jesus directly confronts. It highlights a spiritual condition where one's trust is displaced from God onto uncertain material circumstances. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of Luke 12:22-31 by emphasizing that anxiety is not just a feeling but a state of being 'unmoored' or spiritually unsettled. It underscores the call to replace this suspended worry with a grounded faith in the Father's care, central to the doctrine of God's providence.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the concept of being 'suspended' or 'up in the air' (μετέωρος) was a common metaphor for a state of uncertainty, doubt, or mental agitation. This imagery would have been readily understood by Luke's audience. The command against being μετεωρίζομαι directly challenged a natural human preoccupation with security in an era where food scarcity and economic instability were immediate, daily concerns, making the call to trust God profoundly counter-cultural.

μεριμνάω (merimnaō, G3309) — A more general and common verb for being anxious or care-worn; μετεωρίζομαι adds the specific imagery of being unsettled or in suspense. ταράσσω (tarassō, G5015) — Means to stir up, trouble, or disturb, often referring to agitation or alarm, but lacks the 'suspended' connotation.

Word Details

Scripture References