"pr. to take up, lift, as from the ground; to take off, put to death, kill, murder, Mt. 2:16; to take away, abolish, abrogate, Heb. 10:9; mid. to take up infants in order to bring them up, Acts 7:21"
Definition and meaning
pr. to take up, lift, as from the ground; to take off, put to death, kill, murder, Mt. 2:16; to take away, abolish, abrogate, Heb. 10:9; mid. to take up infants in order to bring them up, Acts 7:21
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀναιρέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of anaireo (G337) across the King James Bible.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
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Common questions
Strong's G337 (anaireo) is a Greek word that means: pr. to take up, lift, as from the ground; to take off, put to death, kill, murder, Mt. 2:16; to take away, abolish, abrogate, Heb. 10:9; mid. to take up infants in order to bring them up, Acts 7:21 It appears 22 times in the King James Bible.
The word anaireo (G337) appears 22 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G337 is anaireo, a Greek word defined as: pr. to take up, lift, as from the ground; to take off, put to death, kill, murder, Mt. 2:16; to take away, abolish, abrogate, Heb. 10:9; mid. to take . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
anaireo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.