αἰνέω (aineō)
aineō
to praise
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb aineō carries the clear meaning of praise or extol, often with a specific focus on honoring God. In the New Testament, it appears nine times, primarily in Luke, Acts, and Romans. The sources note that it frequently takes the direct object of God, as seen when the angelic host praises God in Luke 2:13 or when the early believers praise Him in Acts 2:47.
Its usage connects closely to the Hebrew concept of hallel, suggesting a vocal and celebratory form of worship. While it shares ground with other words for thanksgiving or blessing, aineō emphasizes the act of declaring God’s worth. This is evident in passages like Luke 19:37, where the crowds praise God for the miracles Jesus performed, highlighting a response to divine action.
The word’s root relates to praise songs or eulogies, pointing to a public declaration of value. Translators typically render it simply as "praise," which captures its straightforward nature. It stands as a key term for the vocal expression of gratitude and honor within the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aineō points to a clear, vocal declaration of God’s worth. It is not a quiet whisper but a public affirmation that honors who He is. When we praise in this way, we align our hearts with the reality of His character and actions.
This kind of praise often follows moments of divine intervention or revelation. Like the shepherds in Luke 2:20, we find ourselves praising God for what we have heard and seen. It is a natural response to grace, turning our experience into worship that others can hear and share.
Whether in the temple courts or among the crowds, this praise connects us to a long line of believers who have declared God’s goodness. It invites us to join the heavenly chorus, acknowledging His value in our daily lives and trusting Him with our future.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- praising6×
- do praise2×
- to praise1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αἰνοῦντες3×
- αἰνεῖτε2×
- αἰνῶν1×
- αἰνοῦντα1×
- αἰνούντων1×
- αἰνεῖν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 2:13
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
This verse shows the angelic host joining human worship, highlighting that praise is a cosmic act of honoring God's presence.
-
Luke 2:20
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
The shepherds’ return demonstrates that personal experience of God’s promises naturally leads to vocal praise and testimony.
-
Acts 3:8
Leaping up, he stood and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God.
Here, physical healing is immediately accompanied by public praise, showing that joy in God’s power overflows into worship.
-
Romans 15:11
Again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.”
Paul quotes Scripture to show that Gentiles are included in this universal call to praise, emphasizing the global scope of worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does aineō mean in the New Testament?
How is aineō different from other words for thanksgiving?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (9 verses across 4 books)
Luke 4 verses
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
Luke 2:20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was…
Luke 19:37As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to…
Luke 24:53and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.