ἐμπνέω
empnéō
G1709 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To breathe into or upon; in extended or figurative use, to be filled with or driven by (as in motivation, hostility, or inspiration). While the core lexical sense is 'to breathe in' or 'breathe on,' in certain contexts, especially in Hellenistic and early Christian writings, it can signify to be animated, moved, or deeply possessed by an emotion or impulse.
Semantic Range
to breathe (literally); to breathe into or upon; to be animated by (figuratively); to be driven by or filled with (emotions, intentions, impulses)
Root / Etymology
From ἐν ('in, into') and πνέω ('to blow, to breathe'); thus, 'to breathe in/into.' The compound describes a direction or infusion of breath or spirit.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐμπνέω primarily referred to the literal act of breathing into or upon and appears in medical or physiological contexts. In the Septuagint and Hellenistic Greek, the verb can take on figurative meaning, describing not only physical breathing but also the giving or receiving of life or spirit. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 9:1), it is used metaphorically to describe being filled with or motivated by a particular emotion—specifically, Saul 'breathing threats and murder,' indicating a state of being overwhelmingly motivated or driven by hostility. This metaphorical use echoes idioms in both Greek and Hebrew traditions, where breath/spirit frequently connotes life-force, motivation, or inspiration. English translations often narrow the word to 'breathe,' but the underlying metaphor involves being impelled, animated, or deeply intent, which may be missed if only the literal sense is noted.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐν and πνέω; to inhale, i.e. (figuratively) to be animated by (bent upon):--breathe.
Root Family
ἐμπνέω (empneō) — to breathe, to blow, to breathe into, to be animated by
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1709-01 |
ἐμπνέων | empneon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
breathing | breathing into | breathing in | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1709-01 |
Acts 9:1 | ἐμπνέων | empneon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
breathing | breathing into | breathing in |