"to lay waste, destroy; to disturb, throw into commotion, Acts 17:6; to excite to sedition and tumult, Acts 21:38; to disturb the mind of any one by doubts, etc.; to subvert, unsettle, Gal. 5:12*"
Definition and meaning
to lay waste, destroy; to disturb, throw into commotion, Acts 17:6; to excite to sedition and tumult, Acts 21:38; to disturb the mind of any one by doubts, etc.; to subvert, unsettle, Gal. 5:12*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀναστατόω
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
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 anastatoo (G387) across the King James Bible.
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
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Common questions
Strong's G387 (anastatoo) is a Greek word that means: to lay waste, destroy; to disturb, throw into commotion, Acts 17:6; to excite to sedition and tumult, Acts 21:38; to disturb the mind of any one by doubts, etc.; to subvert, unsettle, Gal. 5:12* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word anastatoo (G387) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G387 is anastatoo, a Greek word defined as: to lay waste, destroy; to disturb, throw into commotion, Acts 17:6; to excite to sedition and tumult, Acts 21:38; to disturb the mind of any one by do. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
anastatoo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.