"from above, from a higher place, Jn. 3:31; of time, from the first or beginning, Acts 26:5; from the source, Lk. 1:33; again, anew, Jn. 3:3, 7; Gal. 4:9; with a prep., the top or upper part, Mt. 27:51"
Definition and meaning
from above, from a higher place, Jn. 3:31; of time, from the first or beginning, Acts 26:5; from the source, Lk. 1:33; again, anew, Jn. 3:3, 7; Gal. 4:9; with a prep., the top or upper part, Mt. 27:51
In the original Greek the word is written: ἄνωθεν
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 anothen (G509) across the King James Bible.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
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Common questions
Strong's G509 (anothen) is a Greek word that means: from above, from a higher place, Jn. 3:31; of time, from the first or beginning, Acts 26:5; from the source, Lk. 1:33; again, anew, Jn. 3:3, 7; Gal. 4:9; with a prep., the top or upper part, Mt. 27:51 It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word anothen (G509) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G509 is anothen, a Greek word defined as: from above, from a higher place, Jn. 3:31; of time, from the first or beginning, Acts 26:5; from the source, Lk. 1:33; again, anew, Jn. 3:3, 7; Gal. 4. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
anothen is a Greek word found in the New Testament.