ἐγκαινίζω (egkainizō)
egkainizō
to inaugurate
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb egkainizō means to make something new by dedicating it for a fresh purpose. It carries the sense of initiation or inauguration, marking the beginning of a distinct phase. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both within the book of Hebrews, where it describes significant religious acts that establish new realities.
Its usage is concrete and ceremonial. In Hebrews 9:18, it refers to the dedication of the first covenant with blood, echoing Old Testament practices where altars and covenants were consecrated. Similarly, in Hebrews 10:20, it describes the "new and living way" opened through Christ’s body, framing his sacrifice as the act that inaugurates this new path to God. The word emphasizes the formal establishment of something previously unseen or unestablished.
This term highlights the shift from old rituals to a new spiritual reality. It is not merely about repair but about starting something entirely new with divine authority. The sources note its connection to renewal and dedication, showing how early Christians viewed Christ’s work as the definitive act that opened access to God, replacing previous systems with a living way.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word egkainizō speaks of inauguration—making something new by dedicating it for a fresh purpose. In Hebrews, this term marks the shift from old rituals to a new spiritual reality established by divine authority. It is not about repair but about starting something entirely new.
In Hebrews 9:18, we see the first covenant dedicated with blood, following ancient patterns of consecration. Yet Hebrews 10:20 reveals a greater truth: Christ dedicated a new and living way through His flesh. This act opened access to God that previous systems could not provide.
For your faith, this means you do not rely on repeated rituals but on a finished work. The path to God is now open, secure, and alive because of Jesus’ sacrifice. You can approach Him with confidence, knowing the way was inaugurated by His own body.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- has been inaugurated.1×
- He dedicated1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνεκαίνισεν1×
- ἐγκεκαίνισται.1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 9:18
Therefore even the first covenant has not been dedicated without blood.
This verse shows the word applied to the dedication of the first covenant, establishing the pattern of consecration through blood that Christ fulfills.
-
Hebrews 10:20
by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
Here the word describes how Christ inaugurated a new and living way to God through His flesh, replacing the old system with direct access.