ἄνωθεν (anōthen)
anōthen
from above/again
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adverb anōthen carries a dual meaning that hinges on direction and time. It can mean "from above," pointing to a heavenly or divine source, as seen when the temple curtain tore from top to bottom in Matthew 27:51. In this spatial sense, it distinguishes origins that come from God rather than human effort, a distinction James makes when describing wisdom "from above" in James 3:17.
Alternatively, anōthen means "again" or "anew," referring to a renewal of time or state. This is the sense Jesus uses in John 3:3 and 3:7 when speaking to Nicodemus about being born "from above" or "again." The ambiguity here is intentional; the word bridges the physical act of rebirth with the spiritual reality of a new origin from God, suggesting that true change begins not from below, but from a higher place.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about being born again in John 3, Jesus uses a word that means both "again" and "from above." This double meaning shows that spiritual renewal is not just a second chance at life, but a new origin. True change does not come from our own efforts or human wisdom. It comes from God, who initiates the work of grace in us.
This truth brings comfort when we feel stuck in old patterns. James reminds us that wisdom from above is pure and peaceful (James 3:17). We do not have to manufacture this wisdom ourselves. Instead, we can look to the Father of lights, who gives every good gift without any shadow of turning. Our hope rests on His steady character, not our fluctuating performance.
The tearing of the temple veil in Matthew 27:51 illustrates this divine source. The curtain tore from top to bottom, showing that access to God comes from heaven down to earth. We are invited into this relationship not by climbing up, but by receiving what God has already provided through Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- top3×
- from above3×
- the from above1×
- from the first,1×
- from the first1×
- from above;1×
- from above.1×
- from above,1×
- anew1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄνωθεν8×
- ἄνωθεν,2×
- ἄνωθέν1×
- ἄνωθεν·1×
- ἄνωθεν.1×
Key Verses
-
John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”
This verse uses the word to show that seeing God's Kingdom requires a spiritual rebirth that originates from God, not human effort.
-
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Here the word distinguishes heavenly wisdom, which is pure and peaceful, from earthly wisdom that is self-centered.
-
Matthew 27:51
Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
The veil tearing from top to bottom visually demonstrates that access to God comes from a divine source above.