νυστάζω
nystázō
G3573 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to nod, especially as a sign of drowsiness or impending sleep; to become drowsy or sleepy, sometimes used figuratively for inattentiveness or spiritual lethargy. The primary sense is the physical act of nodding the head in sleepiness, but it can also denote a state of partial sleep, dozing, or metaphorically, inattentiveness or being unresponsive.
Semantic Range
to nod (with sleepiness), to doze, to grow drowsy, to become inattentive (figurative), to experience spiritual lethargy (figurative)
Root / Etymology
From a presumed derivative of νεύω (to nod).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, νυστάζω refers to the physical act of nodding, especially as one falls into sleep—'to doze' or 'be drowsy.' In Hellenistic Greek and the New Testament, it maintains this physical sense but also acquires a figurative usage, most notably in moral or spiritual exhortations (e.g., Matthew 25:5 and elsewhere), representing inattention, lack of vigilance, or moral/spiritual lethargy. English translations often use 'slumber,' 'nod,' or 'become drowsy,' but context may range from literal sleepiness to figurative inattentiveness. The term is used both for literal physical sleep (as in everyday experience) and in parables or warnings about spiritual watchfulness. Its usage is closely related to καθεύδω (to sleep), though νυστάζω frequently suggests the threshold between wakefulness and sleep (drowsiness, nodding off), not the completed act of sleeping.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a presumed derivative of νεύω; to nod, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep; figuratively, to delay:--slumber.
Root Family
νυστάζω (nystazō) — to nod, to become drowsy, to doze
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3573-01 |
ἐνύσταξαν | enustaxan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
got drowsy | they nodded off | they nodded off | 1 |
G3573-02 |
νυστάζει | nustazei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
slumbers | is dozing | is dozing | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3573-01 |
Matthew 25:5 | ἐνύσταξαν | enustaxan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
got drowsy | they nodded off | they nodded off |
G3573-02 |
2 Peter 2:3 | νυστάζει | nustazei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
slumbers | is dozing | is dozing |