ἀναμιμνήσκω (anamimnēskō)
anamimnēskō
to remind
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anamimnēskō means to bring something back into someone’s mind, effectively acting as a reminder. It is not merely recalling information passively; it carries the sense of calling another person to remember what they already know or have been taught. In the New Testament, this word appears in six verses, often linking past instruction with present action.
Its usage varies slightly depending on context. Sometimes it is active, as when Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him (2 Timothy 1:6). Other times, it is passive, describing the act of remembering oneself or one’s own experiences, such as when the disciples recalled Jesus’ words after his resurrection (Mark 14:72) or when believers remember their earlier faith and perseverance (Hebrews 10:32).
The word builds on the root for memory, adding an intensive prefix that emphasizes the act of bringing to mind. This distinction matters because it highlights that biblical remembrance is often a call to active obedience rather than simple mental recall. Translators typically render it as "remind" or "remember," capturing this dynamic link between thought and action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Remembrance in Scripture is rarely a passive mental exercise. When the New Testament uses this word, it often carries an active charge to recall past truths so they shape present behavior. It is less about retrieving forgotten data and more about re-engaging with what you already know to be true.
This distinction offers comfort when faith feels distant. Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gift of God, linking memory directly to spiritual vitality. Similarly, Hebrews urges believers to recall former days of endurance. These passages suggest that looking back is a practical way to find strength for today’s challenges.
You do not need to manufacture new insights to feel close to God. Often, simply recalling how He has been faithful before is enough to steady your heart and renew your hope in His promises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will remind of1×
- remembering1×
- remembered1×
- having remembered1×
- do remember1×
- I remind1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἀναμιμνῄσκεσθε1×
- ἀνεμνήσθη1×
- ἀναμνήσει1×
- ἀναμνησθεὶς1×
- ἀναμιμνῄσκω1×
- ἀναμιμνῃσκομένου1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 1:6
For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Paul uses this word to actively urge Timothy to re-engage with the spiritual gift given to him, showing that remembrance is a catalyst for action.
-
Hebrews 10:32
But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:
The author calls believers to recall their past endurance of suffering, using memory as a foundation for current perseverance.
-
Mark 14:72
The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the words that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” When he thought about that, he wept.
Peter’s immediate recollection of Jesus’ warning leads to deep repentance, illustrating how remembering truth can correct our path.