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ἀγρυπνέω

agrypnéō

G69 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ἀγρυπν- to be sleepless, to keep awake, to watch

Definition

To be sleepless, remain awake; specifically, to stay awake on purpose, to keep watch or vigil, often with the sense of purposeful attentiveness or alertness. The primary sense is physical wakefulness, especially at night, but can extend metaphorically to mean being vigilant or attentive to duties, responsibilities, or spiritual matters.

Semantic Range

to be sleepless, to stay awake, to keep vigil, to be watchful, to remain alert, to be attentive (esp. to duties or spiritual matters)

Root / Etymology

Formed from the alpha-privative (ἀ-) indicating negation and ὕπνος ('sleep'): literally 'without sleep.' The verb is causative/active, meaning 'to be lacking in sleep,' with a focus on intentional wakefulness or vigilance rather than simple insomnia.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἀγρυπνέω first appears in late classical and Hellenistic Greek, with limited attestation before the Koine period. In the Septuagint, it is used for the purposeful act of keeping vigil or being alert (e.g., in contexts of watchmen or those on guard). In the New Testament, its usage often carries metaphorical overtones: being spiritually vigilant, especially in anticipation of significant events (such as the parousia or temptations), aligning with Greek and Jewish traditions of night watch and prayer. In some contexts, the nuance leans more toward moral or spiritual alertness than mere physical sleeplessness. Standard English translations with 'watch' or 'keep awake' often capture these contextual nuances, but sometimes underplay the sense of intentional, persistent attentiveness indicated by the Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

ultimately from Α (as negative particle) and ὕπνος; to be sleepless, i.e. keep awake:--watch.

Root Family

ἀγρυπνέω (agrypneō) — to be sleepless, to keep awake, to watch

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G69-01 ἀγρυπνεῖτε agrupneite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL keep on the alert Keep staying awake keep staying awake 2
G69-02 ἀγρυπνοῦντες agrupnountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL watching keeping vigil keeping vigil 1
G69-03 ἀγρυπνοῦσιν agrupnousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they watch they keep watch they keep watch 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G69-01 Mark 13:33 ἀγρυπνεῖτε agrupneite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL watch Keep staying awake keep staying awake
G69-01 Luke 21:36 ἀγρυπνεῖτε agrupneite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL keep on the alert Keep staying awake Keep staying awake
G69-02 Ephesians 6:18 ἀγρυπνοῦντες agrupnountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL watching keeping vigil keeping vigil
G69-03 Hebrews 13:17 ἀγρυπνοῦσιν agrupnousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they watch they keep watch they keep watch
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