[count-your-change]

First, Jesus probably wasn't speaking to Nicodemus in Greek so it would be John who chose the word and John knew what word he wanted to use and what it meant.

The word anothon may seem to us ambiguous but Jesus reply to Nicodemus may have had more than one level of meaning such that a simple “again” in Greek would not convey.

If we are to say “above” is the best or only proper word to use then “from above” in what sense?

[verga]

I think I understand your question, If I do not please feel free to correct me.

If we are to say “above” is the best or only proper word to use then “from above” in what sense?

In the sense that it could only come from God. Nicodemus was focused on the Carnal/ material aspect.

Just as Jesus had to be the Son of God. No mere man could be the savior of the world. It had to be Jesus who was both man and God.

There are three types of "Beings." There are animals (Dogs, Chickens, cats etc...) they have no soul they are pure material. Next you have the Angels. They are pure spirit, created not born, no material nature.

Then there is the humans. We are both Spirit and Flesh, posing both a spiritual and material nature.

God created Adam and then breathed life into him. The word used is Pneuma, or spirit.

Since we have already had a carnal fleshly birth this "birth" must be from above. It must be from God, a spiritual birth, restoring the bond destroyed by Adam and Eve.