ἀναβιβάζω (anabibazō)
anabibazō
to pull up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anabibazō describes the physical action of drawing something upward, most notably used in the New Testament to depict pulling a fishing net onto the shore. In Matthew 13:48, this term captures the moment when the good fish are gathered from the bad, illustrating a decisive act of separation and collection.
Its meaning is rooted in causing ascent or drawing up, often applied to heavy objects like nets or ships. The word carries a sense of effort and completion, marking the end of the fishing process as the catch is brought fully into view on land.
This specific usage highlights a tangible image of judgment and sorting. By focusing on the physical act of hauling the net ashore, the text uses a familiar labor scene to explain spiritual realities, showing how distinct groups are finally separated at the end of the age.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anabibazō describes the physical effort of hauling a heavy fishing net onto the shore. In Matthew 13:48, this action marks the end of the work, bringing the catch fully into view for sorting. It is not a gentle lift but a decisive pull that completes the task.
This image offers comfort in times of waiting. Just as the fishermen waited for the net to fill before pulling it up, God’s timing ensures that every detail is gathered before judgment occurs. The separation happens only after the work is complete, showing that nothing is overlooked or lost prematurely.
For your faith, this suggests that God sees the whole picture even when you cannot. You do not need to force the sorting of people or circumstances in your life. Trust that He will bring everything into the light at the right time, separating what is good from what is harmful with perfect justice and care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having drawn up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀναβιβάσαντες1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 13:48
which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away.
The term anabibazō here signifies the decisive moment when the fishing work concludes and the catch is brought ashore for final sorting, illustrating the completion of God's gathering before judgment.