Title: Brief Overview of ἔξυπνος (Strong’s G1853: exypnos)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is fundamental in Biblical studies, as it offers a deeper insight into the meanings and nuances of Scripture. The Greek word ἔξυπνος (exypnos) is particularly significant because it conveys the idea of being “awake” or “alert.” This word captures both literal and metaphorical senses in ancient texts, revealing much about the mindset and culture of ancient Greek society and the early Christian church. Its relevance in New Testament interpretation lies in its emphasis on spiritual vigilance and readiness.

Key Information

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• The Greek Word: ἔξυπνος, transliteration: exypnos, pronunciation: [EKS-üp-nos].
• Etymology root words: Derived from ἐκ (ek), meaning “out of,” and ὑπνός (hypnos), meaning “sleep.”
• The part of speech: Adjective; it describes a state of being awake or alert.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Awake, alert.
• Vigilant, watchful.
• Ready or prepared, often in a metaphorical or spiritual sense.

Similar Words: ἀγρυπνέω (agrypneō) and γρηγορέω (grēgoreō). ἀγρυπνέω means “to be sleepless” or “to stay awake,” focusing more on the action of keeping awake, often used in contexts of prayer or vigilance. γρηγορέω similarly means “to be watchful” or “to stay alert,” often in a spiritual or moral context. While all three words involve the concept of alertness, ἔξυπνος specifically emphasizes the state of being awake or conscious.

Further Insights: ἔξυπνος is an adjective that can describe both a literal state of being awake and a figurative sense of being spiritually or mentally alert. In grammatical terms, it is a first and second declension adjective, changing form to agree with the nouns it modifies. Understanding this word involves recognizing its roots—ἐκ (ek), meaning “out of,” and ὑπνός (hypnos), meaning “sleep”—literally describing someone who is “out of sleep.”

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG: ἔξυπνος is defined as “awake” or “alert,” emphasizing a state of consciousness or readiness. It often has a metaphorical implication of being vigilant, particularly in spiritual contexts.

Thayers: The word ἔξυπνος is noted to mean “awake” and “watchful,” often used to describe a state of readiness or alertness that can be applied to both physical and spiritual conditions.

Vines: This lexicon highlights ἔξυπνος as an adjective describing the state of being “awake” or “alert,” especially in the context of spiritual vigilance and readiness.

LSJ: Recognizes ἔξυπνος as “awake” or “alert,” commonly used in both everyday speech and literary contexts to describe someone who is conscious, aware, or ready to act.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines ἔξυπνος as “awake” or “alert,” indicating both literal wakefulness and a metaphorical sense of spiritual or mental readiness.

Related Scripture References

Classical Usage

Summary of ἔξυπνος (G1853: exypnos)

The Greek word ἔξυπνος (exypnos) is an adjective that primarily means “awake” or “alert.” It can describe both a literal state of being awake and a metaphorical state of vigilance or readiness, especially in spiritual or moral contexts. Although not explicitly used in the New Testament, the word appears in classical Greek literature and the Septuagint to convey the importance of being watchful, prepared, and spiritually aware. Understanding this word enriches the comprehension of Biblical and ancient Greek texts where readiness and vigilance are emphasized.

Did You Know?

The modern English word “hypnosis” shares its roots with ἔξυπνος through the Greek word ὑπνός (hypnos), meaning “sleep.” While hypnosis involves a state of induced sleep or trance, ἔξυπνος represents the opposite—a state of being fully awake and alert!