νήφω
nḗphō
G3525 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be sober, to be free from the effects of intoxicants; by extension, to be self-controlled, well-balanced, vigilant, and clear-headed. The core meaning involves literal sobriety (not under the influence of wine or strong drink), but it frequently acquires a figurative sense: being mentally and spiritually alert or vigilant, exercising restraint and sound judgment.
Semantic Range
to abstain from wine, to be physically sober, to be alert, to exercise self-restraint, to be watchful, to maintain moral or spiritual clarity
Root / Etymology
The precise etymology is uncertain; likely related to a stem associated with sobriety or wakefulness, but no direct cognate is attested in classical Greek. Some lexicographers suggest a relationship to the negative prefix νη- and a root related to drinking or inebriation (but no exact stem), but this is speculative.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, νήφω is quite rare; its use is virtually absent in the major classical authors. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; 1 Peter 1:13, 4:7, 5:8), it assumes a spiritual and moral dimension, emphasizing clarity of mind, alertness, and self-mastery, sometimes in contrast to intoxication but often in the context of vigilance against moral or spiritual dangers. In the Septuagint, it is very infrequently used. The extended sense of mental and moral alertness distinguishes it from related terms that focus only on physical drunkenness or temperance. Many standard English translations render νήφω as "be sober" or "be self-controlled," but these sometimes miss the full nuance of "wakeful alertness" and "vigilant clarity" implied in moral or spiritual situations. The term stands in contrast to μέθω (to be drunk) and is often paired with ἐγρηγορέω (to be watchful).
Translation Consistency
νήφω in the NT most naturally and commonly carries the sense “be sober” — literally not intoxicated and figuratively alert, self-controlled, and vigilant. ‘Be sober’ preserves the stative/continuing quality of the Greek, covers both literal and figurative uses, and matches typical, natural English translation practice.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet:--be sober, watch.
Root Family
νηφ- (eknḗphō) — to be sober, to regain sobriety, to rouse oneself
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1594 | ἐκνήφω | Rouse yourselves to sobriety |
| G366 | ἀνανήφω | they might sober up again |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3525-02 |
νήφωμεν | nephomen | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
be sober | let us be sober-minded | let us be sober-minded | 2 |
G3525-04 |
νήψατε | nepsate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
be sober | Be sober! | Be sober | 2 |
G3525-01 |
νῆφε | nephe | V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG |
be sober | Be sober-minded | Be sober-minded | 1 |
G3525-03 |
νήφοντες | nephontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
be sober | being sober and alert | being sober and alert | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3525-02 |
1 Thessalonians 5:6 | νήφωμεν | nephomen | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
be sober | let us be sober-minded | let us be sober-minded |
G3525-02 |
1 Thessalonians 5:8 | νήφωμεν | nephomen | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
let us be sober | let us be sober-minded | let us be sober-minded |
G3525-01 |
2 Timothy 4:5 | νῆφε | nephe | V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG |
be sober | Be sober-minded | Be sober-minded |
G3525-03 |
1 Peter 1:13 | νήφοντες | nephontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
be sober | being sober and alert | being sober and alert |
G3525-04 |
1 Peter 4:7 | νήψατε | nepsate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
be sober | Be sober! | Be sober |
G3525-04 |
1 Peter 5:8 | νήψατε | nepsate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
Be sober-minded | Be sober! | Be sober |