Original Word: διψάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: dipsaó
Pronunciation: dip-sah'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (dip-sah'-o)
Definition: I thirst for, desire earnestly.
Meaning: To thirst; to suffer thirst; figuratively, to eagerly long for those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened.

Word Origin: From the Greek noun δίψος (dipsos), meaning "thirst."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • צָמֵא (tsame) • Strong's Hebrew 6770: To thirst, be thirsty.
• צָמָא (tsama) • Strong's Hebrew 6771: Thirst, thirsting.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey both physical thirst and a metaphorical longing for God, as seen in passages like Psalm 42:2: "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" This reflects the deep spiritual yearning that parallels the New Testament usage of διψάω.

Usage: The verb διψάω is used in the New Testament to describe both physical thirst and a metaphorical longing for spiritual fulfillment. It appears in contexts where there is a desire for water or a deeper spiritual need.

Context: The Greek verb διψάω is used in the New Testament to convey both literal and metaphorical thirst. In its literal sense, it describes the physical need for water, as seen in passages like John 19:28, where Jesus, on the cross, expresses His physical thirst: "After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.'" This highlights the humanity of Christ and His suffering.

Metaphorically, διψάω is used to express a deep spiritual longing or desire for righteousness and the presence of God. In Matthew 5:6, Jesus uses this term in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Here, the thirst represents a profound yearning for spiritual nourishment and moral integrity, promising divine satisfaction for those who seek it.

Another significant usage is found in John 4:13-14, where Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well: "Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.'" In this context, διψάω illustrates the contrast between temporary physical needs and the eternal satisfaction found in Christ.

The concept of spiritual thirst is further emphasized in Revelation 21:6 and 22:17, where the invitation to "drink freely from the spring of the water of life" is extended to all who are spiritually thirsty, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment found in the presence of God.

Word Origin
from dipsa (thirst)
Definition
to thirst
NASB Translation
am thirsty (1), thirst (5), thirsts (1), thirsty (9).

STRONGS NT 1372: διψάω

διψάω, διψῶ, subjunctive present 3 person singular δίψα (John 7:37 Romans 12:20; often so from the Maced. age on for the Attic δίψῃ, cf. Winers Grammar, § 13, 3 b.; (Buttmann, 44 (38)); Lob. ad Phryn., p. 61); future διψήσω; 1 aorist ἐδίψησα; (δίψα, thirst); (from Homer down); to thirst;

1. absolutely, to suffer thirst; suffer from thirst: properly, Matthew 25:35, 37, 42, 44; John 4:15; John 19:28; Romans 12:20; 1 Corinthians 4:11; figuratively, those are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened: John 4:13; John 6:35; John 7:37; Revelation 7:16; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:17; (Sir. 24:21 (); ).

2. with an accusative of the thing desired: τήν δικαιοσύνην, Matthew 5:6, (Psalm 62:2 () in the better Greek writings with the genitive; cf. Winers Grammar, § 30, 10 b.; (Buttmann, 147 (129)); ἐλευθερίας, Plato, rep. 8, p. 562 c.; τιμῆς, Plutarch, Cat. maj. 11; others; cf. Winer's Grammar, 17).

be thirsty.

From a variation of dipsos; to thirst for (literally or figuratively) -- (be, be a-)thirst(-y).

see GREEK dipsos

διψα διψά διψᾷ διψησει διψήσει διψήσεις διψήσετε διψήση διψησουσιν διψήσουσιν διψήσωσι διψω διψώ διψῶ διψωμεν διψώμεν διψῶμεν διψων διψών διψῶν διψωντα διψώντα διψῶντα διψώντας διψωντες διψώντες διψῶντες διψωντι διψώντι διψῶντι διψώντων διψώσα διψώσαν διψώσας διψώση εδιψησα εδίψησα ἐδίψησα εδίψησε εδίψησέ εδίψησεν dipsa dipsā̂i dipsesei dipsēsei dipsḗsei dipsesousin dipsēsousin dipsḗsousin dipso dipsô dipsō dipsō̂ dipsomen dipsômen dipsōmen dipsō̂men dipson dipsôn dipsōn dipsō̂n dipsonta dipsônta dipsōnta dipsō̂nta dipsontes dipsôntes dipsōntes dipsō̂ntes dipsonti dipsônti dipsōnti dipsō̂nti edipsesa edipsēsa edípsesa edípsēsaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts