ὀρθρίζω (orthrizō)
orthrizō
to rise at dawn
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb orthrizō simply means to rise early in the morning. It is a straightforward action word that appears only once in the New Testament, found in Luke 21:38 where Jesus teaches daily at the temple and the crowds gather before daybreak.
Its meaning comes directly from the noun orthros, which refers to the dawn or early morning hours. This linguistic root connects it closely to the Old Testament tradition of rising at first light, a pattern seen in passages like Psalm 63:1 where the psalmist seeks God in the morning.
While the word itself carries no heavy theological weight, its single usage highlights the intensity of Jesus’ ministry. The image of crowds arriving before sunrise to hear him underscores the high value they placed on his teaching and the urgency with which they pursued it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word orthrizō simply means to rise at dawn. In Luke 21:38, we see crowds gathering before daybreak to hear Jesus teach in the temple. This early morning rush shows how much they valued his words. It was not just a routine visit; it was an intentional choice to start the day with him.
For your own life, this image invites you to consider what you prioritize first. When the world is still quiet, do you seek guidance? You might find that starting your day with Scripture brings clarity before the noise begins. It is a gentle reminder that time spent in his presence sets the tone for everything else.
There is comfort in knowing that Jesus welcomed these early seekers. He did not turn them away because they were tired or rushed. Instead, he taught them daily. You can trust that he welcomes your quiet moments too, whether you rise with the sun or find stillness later in the day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was coming early1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὤρθριζεν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 21:38
All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
This verse uses the concept of rising early to highlight the intense demand for Jesus' teaching, showing that his followers valued his words above sleep.