Bible Dictionary
RENEW
To renew means to refresh, restore, rebuild, or make new. In the New Testament it especially describes spiritual renewal and the restoration of inward strength through God’s work.
Definition
To renew means to refresh, restore, rebuild, repair, establish more firmly, or make new. The word may concern the earth, a kingdom, an altar, former favor, or inward spiritual strength.
Biblical Usage
The Old Testament speaks of renewing the face of the earth, Saul’s kingdom, a broken altar, and former days. It also describes restored spiritual strength. In the New Testament it consistently refers to spiritual renewal.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>re-nu': The word is used in various senses:</p><p>(1) of material things, e.g. Ps 104:30; here it means to give a new appearance, to refresh, to restore the face of the earth;</p><p>(2) in 1Sa 11:14, to establish more firmly the kingdom by reinstalling King Saul;</p><p>(3) in 2Ch 15:8, to rebuild or repair the broken altar;</p><p>(4) in La 5:21, "renew our days," restore the favors of former days;</p><p>(5) in Isa 41:1, `let them gather together, or marshal their strongest arguments for answer';</p><p>(6) in Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31, it refers to the restoring of spiritual strength;</p><p>(7) in the New Testament it invariably refers to spiritual renewal, e.g. Ro 12:2; 2Co 4:16; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10; Tit 3:5; Heb 6:6; all derivatives of kainos, "new."</p><p>G. H. Gerberding</p>