ἀνάπτω (anaptō)
anaptō
to set fire
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anaptō means to light up or kindle a fire. It describes the physical act of setting something ablaze, drawing its force from roots meaning "up" and "to burn." In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, yet it carries significant weight in how Jesus and James describe spiritual intensity.
Jesus uses it to illustrate the urgency of His mission in Luke 12:49, stating that He came to cast fire on the earth. Here, the image is not just warmth but a powerful, consuming force that demands attention. Similarly, James employs the term in chapter 3:5 when discussing the tongue, comparing its small size to a spark that can set a great forest ablaze. In both cases, the word highlights how a small beginning can lead to widespread, undeniable effect.
Translators typically render anaptō as "kindle" or "light," preserving the sense of ignition rather than mere illumination. The sources note its use in the Septuagint for related concepts of emergence, but in the New Testament, it remains tightly focused on the act of starting a fire. This concrete imagery helps readers grasp the sudden and transformative nature of the events described.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anaptō describes the specific moment a spark catches fuel and begins to burn. It is not about maintaining a steady glow, but the sudden ignition that changes everything. When Jesus spoke of casting fire on the earth, He used this active verb to show that His mission was not passive. He came to start something that could not be contained or ignored.
This imagery reminds us that small beginnings often carry huge potential. James uses the same concept when he compares the tongue to a tiny spark that can set a whole forest ablaze. A single word, once spoken, can spread quickly and change the course of events. We are invited to recognize the power in these small moments.
For your daily life, this means paying attention to what starts within you. Whether it is a kind word or a harsh one, the act of starting something has lasting effects. God uses these small ignitions to bring about significant change. You can trust that He is working even in the quiet moments before the fire fully catches.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it kindles;1×
- it be kindled!1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνήφθη.1×
- ἀνάπτει·1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 12:49
“I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled.
Jesus uses anaptō here to express His urgent desire for the transformative impact of His mission to begin immediately.
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James 3:5
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
James applies the word to the tongue, illustrating how a tiny source can rapidly consume a much larger area if left unchecked.