Word study · Greek
anōthen
again, from above
Say it: AN-oh-then (approximate)
ἄνωθεν
What it means
A word that can mean "from above," "from the beginning," or "again." Jesus tells Nicodemus that one must be born "anothen" (3:3, 3:7), and Nicodemus hears "again," while Jesus also means "from above" (compare 3:31 and 19:11). John often uses double meanings like this.
Open question Debated
Whether John 3:3 means "born again" or "born from above" (or both) is debated; the Greek word allows both.
Range of meaning
- From aboveFrom heaven or God.
- AgainA second time.
- From the beginningFrom the start.
In John
- Chapter 3
"Born anew" or "born from above" (3:3, 3:7, 3:31).
Every verse (5)
Verses where G0509 is tagged in the Hebrew text: STEPBible Data (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. About our sources