Original Word: θνῄσκω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: thnéskó
Pronunciation: thnay'-sko
Phonetic Spelling: (thnay'-sko)
Definition: I die, am dying, am dead.
Meaning: To die, to be dead, to perish.

Word Origin: A prolonged form of a primary verb θνήσκω (thnēskō), which is a strengthened form of θάνατος (thanatos), meaning "death."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • 4191 מוּת (muth): To die, to kill, to have one executed. This Hebrew verb is the Old Testament counterpart to θνῄσκω, frequently used to describe physical death and its implications.
• 4194 מָוֶת (maveth): Death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead. This noun is often used in the Old Testament to denote the state of death or the power of death, similar to the Greek concept of θάνατος (thanatos).

In summary, θνῄσκω is a significant term in the New Testament, encapsulating the reality of physical death, the spiritual implications of sin, and the hope of resurrection through Christ. Its usage reflects the comprehensive biblical narrative of life, death, and redemption.

Usage: The verb θνῄσκω is used in the New Testament to describe the physical act of dying, the state of being dead, or metaphorically to indicate spiritual death or separation from life.

Context: The Greek verb θνῄσκω appears in various contexts throughout the New Testament, primarily to denote the physical cessation of life. It is used both literally and metaphorically, reflecting the multifaceted nature of death in biblical theology.

• Literal Usage: In its literal sense, θνῄσκω is used to describe the death of individuals. For example, in John 11:14, Jesus plainly tells His disciples, "Lazarus has died." Here, the term signifies the physical death of Lazarus, which sets the stage for Jesus' miraculous act of raising him from the dead, demonstrating His power over life and death.

• Metaphorical Usage: Metaphorically, θνῄσκω can refer to spiritual death or the state of being separated from God due to sin. In Romans 6:2, Paul writes, "How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?" This usage highlights the believer's identification with Christ's death, signifying a break from the power of sin and a new life in righteousness.

• Theological Implications: The concept of death in the New Testament is deeply intertwined with the themes of sin, redemption, and resurrection. The use of θνῄσκω underscores the reality of physical death as a consequence of sin, as well as the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as the ultimate victory over death, offering believers the assurance of their own resurrection and eternal life.

• Eschatological Context: In eschatological passages, θνῄσκω is used to describe the finality of death for those who do not inherit eternal life. Revelation 21:4 promises, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This vision of the new creation emphasizes the complete eradication of death and its associated sorrows.

Cognate: 2348 thnḗskō (the root of thanatos, "death") – to die (spiritually or physically); subject to death.

Word Origin
from a prim. root than-
Definition
to die
NASB Translation
dead (7), died (2).

STRONGS NT 2348: θνῄσκω

θνῄσκω: perfect τέθνηκα, infinitive τεθνάναι and L T Tr WH τεθνηκέναι (in Acts 14:19), participle τεθνηκώς; pluperfect 3 person singular ἐτεθνήκει (John 11:21 Rec.); (from Homer down); the Sept. for מוּת; to die; perfect to be dead: Matthew 2:20; Mark 15:44; Luke 7:12 (L brackets); ; John 11:21, Rec. in and ; John 12:1 (T WH omit; L Tr brackets); John 19:33; Acts 14:19; Acts 25:19; metaph, of the loss of spiritual life: ζῶσα τέθνηκε, i. e. κἄν δοκῇ ζῆν ταύτην τήν αἰσθητην ζωήν, τέθνηκε κατά πνεῦμα (Theoph.): 1 Timothy 5:6 (Philo de secular § 10 ζῶντες ἔνιοι τεθνήκασι καί τεθνηκότες ζῶσι). (Compare: ἀποθνῄσκω, συναποθνῄσκω.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be dead, die.

A strengthened form of a simpler primary thano than'-o (which is used for it only in certain tenses); to die (literally or figuratively) -- be dead, die.

Forms and Transliterations

ετεθνήκει θανείται τεθνάναι τεθνήκασι τεθνηκασιν τεθνήκασιν τέθνηκε τεθνήκει τεθνηκεν τέθνηκεν τεθνηκεναι τεθνηκέναι τεθνηκός τεθνηκοτα τεθνηκότα τεθνηκότας τεθνηκότες τεθνηκότι τεθνηκοτος τεθνηκότος τεθνηκότων τεθνηκως τεθνηκώς τεθνηκὼς τενηκώς tethnekasin tethnēkasin tethnḗkasin tethneken tethnēken téthneken téthnēken tethnekenai tethnekénai tethnēkenai tethnēkénai tethnekos tethnekṑs tethnēkōs tethnēkṑs tethnekota tethnekóta tethnēkota tethnēkóta tethnekotos tethnekótos tethnēkotos tethnēkótos

Links

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