"to cause to rest, to soothe, refresh, Mt. 11:28; mid. to take rest, repose, refreshment, Mt. 26:45; to have a fixed place of rest, abide, dwell, 1 Pet. 4:14"
Definition and meaning
to cause to rest, to soothe, refresh, Mt. 11:28; mid. to take rest, repose, refreshment, Mt. 26:45; to have a fixed place of rest, abide, dwell, 1 Pet. 4:14
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀναπαύω
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 anapauo (G373) across the King James Bible.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
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Common questions
Strong's G373 (anapauo) is a Greek word that means: to cause to rest, to soothe, refresh, Mt. 11:28; mid. to take rest, repose, refreshment, Mt. 26:45; to have a fixed place of rest, abide, dwell, 1 Pet. 4:14 It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word anapauo (G373) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G373 is anapauo, a Greek word defined as: to cause to rest, to soothe, refresh, Mt. 11:28; mid. to take rest, repose, refreshment, Mt. 26:45; to have a fixed place of rest, abide, dwell, 1 Pet. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
anapauo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.