ἀνίστημι

From the study of Ephesians 5:14

Range of meaning

To stand up, rise. With "from (among) the dead" it is the set phrase for resurrection, used above all of Jesus' own (Mark 9:9; Luke 24:46; Acts 17:3).

Against the English

Most versions have "arise" or "rise up from the dead". YLT's "arise out of the dead" keeps the plural picture of rising out from among the dead.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Isaiah 26:19, "the dead shall rise" (anastēsontai hoi nekroi). Jonah 1:6 in the Greek Old Testament has the ship's captain telling the sleeping Jonah "anasta!", the same short form. Acts 12:7: the angel to the sleeping Peter, "anasta en tachei" (get up quickly). Ephesians 2:5–6 says God "made us alive together with Christ... and raised us up (synēgeiren) with him".

From the study of John 6:40

Range of meaning

Transitively (doing it to someone else): to raise up, set up, cause to stand. It is a standard verb for raising the dead.

Against the English

All major versions say “raise (him/them) up”, which is accurate. NASB's “I Myself” brings out the emphatic ἐγώ that most versions leave unmarked.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint uses it of raising up offspring, prophets and kings, and in resurrection settings (compare Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2, which uses ἐγείρω). 2 Maccabees 7:9 has the “King of the world will raise us up (ἀναστήσει).” The second blessing of the Jewish Amidah prayer praises God as the one “who makes the dead live”.

From the study of Romans 15:12

Range of meaning

Transitive: to raise up or set up. Intransitive (as here, in the middle voice): to stand up, get up, rise. Used of someone appearing in history or coming forward ("a new king arose over Egypt," Exod 1:8 LXX; "a prophet like me the Lord will raise up," Deut 18:15), of rising to act, and of rising from death (1 Thess 4:14, 16; Mark 8:31; Acts 2:24, 32). BDAG s.v. ἀνίστημι.

Against the English

"Rise/arise" (KJV, WEB, ESV, NASB, BSB) is accurate and keeps the double meaning open. BSB's "will arise" turns a present participle ("the one rising") into a future verb, which is a fair reading but less exact. NLT drops the verb altogether ("he will rule"), and with it any hint of resurrection.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek translation of Isaiah 11:10 (LXX), the participle translates the Hebrew ʿomed, "standing" ("who stands as a banner for the peoples"). The translator turned "standing as a banner" into "rising to rule." In the LXX the verb often describes rulers and deliverers who arise. In early Christian writing it is one of the two standard verbs for Jesus' resurrection. The other, more common in Paul, is ἐγείρω.