[Greek] ἐγείρω (egeirō), [multiple Latin verbs] : to raise up, to waken, to rouse from sleep/lying/sitting/disease/death, to lift, to awake, to raise from a state of moral sloth; 161 scriptural references
Happy Easter!
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to awaken, to arouse, to stir up, to erect, to raise up, and to set up. The sense of raising (up) from the dead is rarely found in secular Greek.
Homer’s Iliad 15.594: “Zeus, who ever roused great might in them.”
Homer’s Iliad 2.41: “Then he awoke from sleep and the divine voice was ringing in his ears.”
Lucian’s Alexander 10: “The people of that place at once resolved to raise a temple, and lost no time in digging the foundations.”
Plutarch’s Alexander 19: “While Phillip was beside himself at the calumny, now lifting his hands towards heaven and calling upon the gods to witness his innocence.”
OT/Judaism: This term means to wake up, to awaken, to raise the dead, to establish, to stand up, to raise up (make well), to stir, to rise up, to confirm, to raise, to commence, and to help to raise.
New Testament: This term means to cause to stand up, to stand up, to cause to wake up, to cause to exist, to raise to life, to restore, to heal, to wake up, and to make war against.
Questions about the Resurrection:
- The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection.
- The Pharisees and scribes believed in a future resurrection.
- The Sadducees, seeking to trick Jesus, make a mockery of the resurrection.
- Jesus points out no one marries or is given in marriage at the resurrection.
By dying and rising, Jesus consummates His marriage to His bride, the Church.
Scripture:
Mt.2:13: The angel tells Joseph (in a dream) to rise and take the child and Mary to Egypt.
Mt.2:14: Joseph rises (wakes up) from his dream and takes the child and Mary to Egypt.
Mt.11:5: The dead are raised.
Mt.12:11: Take hold of a sheep and lift it out of a pit.
Mk.1:31: Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law and helped her up.
Lk.1:69: He has raised up a horn for our salvation with the house of David.
Jn.2:19: Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up.
Acts 13:23: God has brought (raised up) to Israel a savior, Jesus.
Other etymology: [Latin] consurgere, [Latin] suscitare, [German] wecken, [Latin] resurgere, [Latin] resurrectus, [Latin] levare, [Latin] elevare, [Latin] erigere, [German] errichten, [French] edifer, [Latin] exitare, [French] exciter, [Latin] educare
Conclusion
Surge, sustain, resurgence, resurrect, resurrection, levitate, elevate, erect, edify, excite, educate, education
In the Greek Hellenistic era, it is perhaps not surprising that this term is used in various ways and meanings. It is important to note that resurrection of the dead is rarely found. It was interesting to discover Homer’s allusion to one being woken up and being “divinely inspired” by the gods.
The Old Testament introduces the notion of a resurrection of the dead. This relates to raising one up and being made well.
Resurrection of the dead plays a much more important role in the New Testament. One can also say that Jesus’s ability to raise people from the dead raises the ire and anger of the Jewish leaders. This in term leads to Jesus being accused of blasphemy, leading to His death.
Jesus is the Bridegroom. The Church is the Bride. By dying on the cross, Jesus consummates His marriage relationship to His Bride (the Church).
God is the author of marriage (Eph.5:21-28):
- Husbands and wife each have a sub-mission to serve and love each other.
- Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as the Bride (Church) is subordinate to the Groom (Jesus).
- The husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is head of the Church.
- Husbands: love (and even lay down life) for your wife as Christ loved (laid down His life for) the Church
All OTHER marriage relationships (same-sex unions, etc.) become counterfeits by comparison.
I hope I was able to raise up some interesting information about raising up in this post. ☺☺☺
Happy Easter!