ἀναδείκνυμι

From the study of Luke 10:1

Range of meaning

(1) To lift up and display, to show clearly (Acts 1:24: 'show which one you have chosen'). (2) To proclaim or install someone in an office, to appoint publicly (BDAG s.v.). Formal and public in tone.

Against the English

English versions all say 'appointed'. That is correct, but it can sound like an administrative assignment. The Greek carries the idea of a public showing: these people are presented as his designated agents.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for installing rulers and officials: 2 Maccabees 9:23 and 14:12 (Antiochus naming a successor, Nicanor appointed governor), 1 Esdras 1:35 and 3 Maccabees 2:14 in related senses. Greek inscriptions and papyri use it for proclaiming someone to office. In the New Testament it appears only here and in Acts 1:24, both in Luke's writings, both about choosing commissioned agents.

From the study of Acts 1:24

Range of meaning

(1) To show clearly, bring into view, reveal. (2) To proclaim or install someone publicly in an office: to appoint or commission.

Against the English

Most English versions have 'show'. That keeps the 'reveal' sense but loses the overtone of public installation. The supplied lexical gloss 'appoint' captures the second sense but can hide the first.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke uses it in Luke 10:1: 'the Lord appointed (anedeixen) seventy others' and sent them out. Its noun appears in Luke 1:80 for John's 'public appearance (anadeixis) to Israel'. In the Septuagint, 2 Maccabees 9:23 and 14:12 use it for proclaiming or appointing a successor or commander. Hellenistic inscriptions use it for public appointment to office.