αἶνος (ainos)
ainos
praise
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ainos carries the dual sense of a fable or tale and formal praise. In classical usage, it often referred to a mythic story with a moral lesson, but in the New Testament context, it shifts toward laudatory speech. This semantic range is evident in its translation of the Hebrew hallel, which denotes songs of praise.
Scripture employs this word in two distinct instances that highlight its meaning. In Luke 18:43, a blind man calls Jesus "Son of David," a declaration recognized as a form of public acclaim or praise. Similarly, Matthew 21:16 records children shouting praises in the temple, echoing the language of celebratory hymns rather than simple storytelling.
The term’s root connection to narrative suggests that true praise in this context is not merely emotional but declarative and structured. It frames worship as a spoken testimony that tells the story of God’s character. Translators typically render it as "praise" or "song," capturing the vocal nature of the act.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ainos points to praise that is spoken aloud and carries weight. In the New Testament, it moves away from silent feeling toward public declaration. When we praise, we are not just expressing an emotion; we are stating a truth about who God is.
This kind of praise can come from unexpected places. In Luke 18:43, a man who had just received his sight followed Jesus while glorifying God. His action was a visible testimony that drew others to join in. Praise here becomes a shared moment where the community sees God’s work and responds together.
We can learn from this that our words matter. Whether we are celebrating a big miracle or a quiet blessing, speaking out loud helps us anchor our faith in reality. It reminds us that God is worthy of being named and praised by everyone present.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- praise’?1×
- praise1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αἶνον;¶1×
- αἶνον1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 21:16
and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise’?”
Jesus quotes Psalm 8 to show that children’s spontaneous shouts in the temple fulfill Scripture, proving that praise is a divine act of perfection rather than just noise.
-
Luke 18:43
Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.
The healed blind man follows Jesus while glorifying God, making his praise a public demonstration that transforms the entire crowd’s reaction to the miracle.