Lexical Summary pneó: To blow, to breathe Original Word: πνέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance blow. A primary word; to breathe hard, i.e. Breeze -- blow. Compare psucho. see GREEK psucho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to blow NASB Translation blew (2), blow (1), blowing (2), blows (1), wind (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4154: πνέωπνέω; 1 aorist ἔπνευσα; from Homer down; to breathe, to blow: of the wind, Matthew 7:25, 27; Luke 12:55; John 3:8; John 6:18; Revelation 7:1; τῇ πνεούσῃ namely, αὔρα (cf. Winers Grammar, 591 (550); (Buttmann, 82 (72))), Acts 27:40. (Compare: ἐκπνέω, ἐνπνέω, ὑποπνέω.) Topical Lexicon Overview of the Verb’s Imagery Strong’s Greek 4154 portrays the dynamic action of wind that can range from a gentle breeze to a driving storm. Scripture uses the verb to evoke power, unpredictability, and the sovereignty of God who both sends and restrains the winds (Job 37:9-13; compare Revelation 7:1). Because breath and wind are closely linked ideas in biblical thought, the term naturally becomes a vehicle for teaching about the Holy Spirit, divine judgment, and the believer’s endurance. Occurrences in Gospel Narratives 1. Matthew 7:25, 27. When Jesus warns about the storms that test the wise and foolish builders, “the winds blew” (ἔπνευσαν) functions as a vivid symbol of life’s adversities and of eschatological judgment. Only a life founded on obedience to Christ withstands such God-permitted forces. Eschatological Restraint and Judgment Revelation 7:1 presents four angels “holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing.” Here the verb pictures the temporary suspension of divine judgments until the servants of God are sealed. God’s mastery over the forces of nature highlights His precise timing in redemptive history and assures believers that wrath never falls indiscriminately on His people. Pneumatological Resonance Because Scripture frequently associates wind with God’s Spirit (Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 37:9-14; Acts 2:2), every usage of 4154 invites theological reflection on the Spirit’s activity. John 3:8 explicitly links the unseen wind with the regenerating work of the Spirit, teaching that spiritual life cannot be engineered by human effort. Pastoral ministry therefore points seekers to sovereign grace rather than self-improvement. Historical and Cultural Background First-century Mediterranean life was keenly aware of prevailing winds that governed agriculture, navigation, and daily comfort. Sailors on the routes Paul traveled knew that a favorable wind could mean safe passage, while a sudden gale could spell disaster. Acts 27:40 records that after casting off anchors, the sailors “let the ship run before the wind” (πνεούσῃ). The narrative embodies the precarious dependence of human plans on natural forces—and ultimately on God, who delivered Paul for gospel purposes. Theological and Pastoral Applications • Trials: Like the house that stood amid the winds, believers withstand adversity by building on Christ’s words. Summary of Key Themes Strong’s Greek 4154 weaves together the biblical motifs of divine power, judgment, and new creation. Whether illustrating storms that test foundations, the Spirit’s regenerative work, or eschatological restraint, the verb consistently directs attention to God’s active governance of both nature and salvation history. The believer responds with trust, obedience, and expectation, knowing that every wind that blows ultimately serves the purposes of the Lord of heaven and earth. Forms and Transliterations επνευσαν έπνευσαν ἔπνευσαν έπνευσεν πνεη πνέη πνέῃ πνει πνεί πνεῖ πνεοντα πνέοντα πνεοντος πνέοντος πνεουση πνεούση πνεούσῃ πνεύσει epneusan épneusan pnee pneē pnéei pnéēi pnei pneî pneonta pnéonta pneontos pnéontos pneouse pneousē pneoúsei pneoúsēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 7:25 V-AIA-3PGRK: ποταμοὶ καὶ ἔπνευσαν οἱ ἄνεμοι NAS: and the winds blew and slammed against KJV: and the winds blew, and beat upon INT: streams and blew the winds Matthew 7:27 V-AIA-3P Luke 12:55 V-PPA-AMS John 3:8 V-PIA-3S John 6:18 V-PPA-GMS Acts 27:40 V-PPA-DFS Revelation 7:1 V-PSA-3S Strong's Greek 4154 |