◄ 3525. néphó ►
Strong's Lexicon néphó: To be sober, to be self-controlled, to be watchful Original Word: νήφω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: néphó Pronunciation: NAY-fo Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-fo) Definition: To be sober, to be self-controlled, to be watchful Meaning: (lit: I am sober), I am calm (vigilant), circumspect. Word Origin: Derived from a primary verb meaning "to abstain from wine" (literally or figuratively) Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "νήφω," the concept of sobriety and vigilance can be related to Hebrew words like "שָׁקַד" (shaqad), meaning to watch or be alert, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 1:12. Usage: The Greek verb "νήφω" (néphó) primarily means to be sober-minded or self-controlled. It conveys the idea of being free from the influence of intoxicants, both literally and metaphorically, and extends to being vigilant and watchful. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe a state of mental and spiritual alertness, encouraging believers to remain clear-headed and focused on their faith and responsibilities. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, sobriety was often associated with moral and ethical behavior. The early Christian community, living amidst a culture that frequently indulged in excess, was called to a higher standard of living. Sobriety, in this context, was not only about abstaining from physical intoxication but also about maintaining spiritual and moral clarity. The call to be sober-minded was a counter-cultural stance that emphasized discipline and readiness, especially in anticipation of Christ's return. HELPS Word-studies 3525 nḗphō – properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, i.e. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.). 3525 /nḗphō ("be sober, unintoxicated") refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled). 3525 /nḗphō ("uninfluenced by intoxicants") means to have "one's wits (faculties) about them," which is the opposite of being irrational. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin a prim. word Definition to be sober, to abstain from wine NASB Translation keep sober (1), sober (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3525: νήφω νήφω; 1 aorist imperative 2 person plural νήψατε; from Theognis, Sophocles, Xenophon down; to be sober; in the N. T. everywhere tropically, to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect: 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 5:8; εἰς τάς προσευχάς, unto (the offering of) prayer, 1 Peter 4:7. (Synonym: see ἀγρυπνέω; and on the word see Ellicott on Timothy, the passage cited Compare: ἀνανήφω, ἐκνήφω.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to be sober, to abstain from wine Of uncertain affinity: to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet -- be sober, watch. Forms and Transliterations νηφε νήφε νῆφε νηφοντες νήφοντες νηφωμεν νήφωμεν νηψατε νήψατε nephe nêphe nēphe nē̂phe nephomen nēphōmen nḗphomen nḗphōmen nephontes nēphontes nḗphontes nepsate nēpsate nḗpsate Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance 1 Thessalonians 5:6 V-PSA-1P GRK: γρηγορῶμεν καὶ νήφωμεν NAS: do, but let us be alert and sober. KJV: let us watch and be sober. INT: we should watch and we should be sober 1 Thessalonians 5:8 V-PSA-1P GRK: ἡμέρας ὄντες νήφωμεν ἐνδυσάμενοι θώρακα NAS: But since we are of [the] day, let us be sober, having put KJV: of the day, be sober, putting on INT: of day being should be sober having put on [the] breastplate 2 Timothy 4:5 V-PMA-2S GRK: σὺ δὲ νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν NAS: But you, be sober in all things, KJV: But watch thou in INT: you moreover be sober in all things 1 Peter 1:13 V-PPA-NMP GRK: διανοίας ὑμῶν νήφοντες τελείως ἐλπίσατε NAS: your minds for action, keep sober [in spirit], fix your hope KJV: mind, be sober, and hope INT: mind of you being sober perfectly hope 1 Peter 4:7 V-AMA-2P GRK: οὖν καὶ νήψατε εἰς προσευχάς NAS: be of sound judgment and sober [spirit] for the purpose of prayer. KJV: sober, and watch unto prayer. INT: therefore and be watchful unto prayers 1 Peter 5:8 V-AMA-2P GRK: Νήψατε γρηγορήσατε ὁ NAS: Be of sober [spirit], be on the alert. KJV: Be sober, be vigilant; because INT: Be sober watch the Strong's Greek 3525 6 Occurrences νῆφε — 1 Occ. νήφωμεν — 2 Occ. νήφοντες — 1 Occ. νήψατε — 2 Occ.