ἀνατάσσω (anatassō)
anatassō
to compile
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anatassō means to put things together in order or to compose a narrative. It suggests arranging material carefully rather than simply writing it down spontaneously. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Luke 1:1, where the author describes his method of preparing an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us.
Lexical sources note a specific nuance: the act may involve drawing up details from memory or restoring them from recollection. This implies that Luke did not just copy existing texts but organized eyewitness reports and written sources into a coherent sequence. The prefix ana- suggests a gathering or arranging, while the root relates to setting in order. Translators typically render this as "to compile" or "to set in order," highlighting the deliberate effort behind the Gospel's structure.
Its usage here distinguishes Luke’s work from haphazard recording. By stating he has carefully investigated and arranged these matters, the author establishes credibility and intent. The word underscores that the Gospel is a constructed testimony, built from multiple sources and ordered for clarity. This careful composition reflects a commitment to accuracy and logical flow, setting the stage for a reliable historical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anatassō appears only once in the New Testament, found in Luke 1:1. It means to compile or set things in order. This tells us that the Gospel of Luke is not a random collection of stories. Instead, it is a carefully arranged narrative built from reliable sources.
This careful preparation shows respect for the truth and for you, the reader. It invites you to trust that the events described are grounded in history and memory. The author took time to investigate and organize these accounts so they would make sense.
When you read Luke, you are engaging with a text that values clarity and accuracy. This thoughtful approach helps us understand God's work in history more deeply. It reminds us that faith is rooted in real events, carefully preserved for future generations.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to draw up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνατάξασθαι1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 1:1
Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
This verse uses the word to describe the author's deliberate method of compiling and ordering the narrative from existing sources.