"to overturn, throw down, to turn back, return, Acts 5:22; 15:16; to live, to conduct one’s self, 2 Cor. 1:12; Eph. 2:3; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 13:18; 1 Pet. 1:17; 2 Pet. 2:18; to gaze, Heb. 10:33*"
Definition and meaning
to overturn, throw down, to turn back, return, Acts 5:22; 15:16; to live, to conduct one’s self, 2 Cor. 1:12; Eph. 2:3; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 13:18; 1 Pet. 1:17; 2 Pet. 2:18; to gaze, Heb. 10:33*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀναστρέφω
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 anastrepho (G390) across the King James Bible.
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
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Common questions
Strong's G390 (anastrepho) is a Greek word that means: to overturn, throw down, to turn back, return, Acts 5:22; 15:16; to live, to conduct one’s self, 2 Cor. 1:12; Eph. 2:3; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 13:18; 1 Pet. 1:17; 2 Pet. 2:18; to gaze, Heb. 10:33* It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word anastrepho (G390) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G390 is anastrepho, a Greek word defined as: to overturn, throw down, to turn back, return, Acts 5:22; 15:16; to live, to conduct one’s self, 2 Cor. 1:12; Eph. 2:3; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 13:18; 1 Pet. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
anastrepho is a Greek word found in the New Testament.