Strong's Greek: 69. ἀγρυπνέω (agrupneó) -- To be watchful, to stay awake, to be vigilant

Strong's Lexicon

agrupneó: To be watchful, to stay awake, to be vigilant

Original Word: ἀγρυπνέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: agrupneó
Pronunciation: ag-roop-NEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-roop-neh'-o)
Definition: To be watchful, to stay awake, to be vigilant
Meaning: I am not asleep, am awake; especially: I am watchful, careful.

Word Origin: From the Greek words ἀ (a, "not") and ὕπνος (hypnos, "sleep"), meaning "to be sleepless" or "to keep awake."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀγρυπνέω, the concept of watchfulness is present in Hebrew words like שָׁקַד (shaqad, Strong's H8245), meaning "to watch" or "to be alert."

Usage: The verb ἀγρυπνέω is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of being spiritually alert and vigilant. It implies a state of readiness and attentiveness, often in the context of prayer or spiritual warfare. The term suggests an active, intentional effort to remain awake and aware, both physically and spiritually.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of watchfulness was significant, especially in military contexts where guards were required to stay awake to protect against enemy attacks. In the Jewish tradition, watchfulness was also a spiritual discipline, emphasizing the importance of being alert to God's presence and activity. Early Christians adopted this concept, applying it to their spiritual lives as they awaited the return of Christ and navigated a world often hostile to their faith.

HELPS Word-studies

69 agrypnéō (from 1 /A, "not" and 5258 /hýpnos, "sleep") – properly, no sleeping; (figuratively) staying vigilant (alert, attentive), i.e. without any unnecessary "time off."

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from agreuó and hupnos
Definition
to be sleepless, wakeful
NASB Translation
alert (1), keep on the alert (2), keep watch (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 69: ἀγρυπνέω

ἀγρυπνέω, (ῶ; (ἄγρυπνος eqluiv. to ἄϋπνος); to be sleepless, keep awake, watch (equivalent to γρηγορέω (see below)); (from Theognis down); tropically, to be circumspect, attentive, ready: Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36; εἰς τί, to be intent upon a thing, Ephesians 6:18; ὑπέρ τίνος, to exercise constant vigilance over something (an image drawn from shepherds), Hebrews 13:17. (Synonyms: ἀγρύπνειν, γρηγορεῖν, νήφειν: "ἀγρύπνειν may be taken to express simply ... absence of sleep, and, pointedly, the absence of it when due to nature, and thence a wakeful frame of mind as opposed to listlessness; while γρηγορεῖν (the offspring of ἐγρήγορα) represents a waking state as the effect of some arousing effort ... i. e. a more stirring image than the former. The group of synonyms is completed by νήφειν, which signifies a state untouched by any slumberous or beclouding influences, and thence, one that is guarded against advances of drowsiness or bewilderment. Thus it becomes a term for wariness (cf. νᾶφε καί μέμνασ' ἀπίστειν) against spiritual dangers and beguilements, 1 Peter 5:8, etc." Green, Critical Notes on the N. T. (note on Mark 13:33f).)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

watch.

Ultimately from a (as negative particle) and hupnos; to be sleepless, i.e. Keep awake -- watch.

see GREEK a

see GREEK hupnos

Forms and Transliterations

αγρυπνεί αγρυπνειτε αγρυπνείτε ἀγρυπνεῖτε αγρυπνουντες αγρυπνούντες ἀγρυπνοῦντες αγρυπνουσιν αγρυπνούσιν ἀγρυπνοῦσιν αγρυπνών ηγρύπνεις ηγρύπνησα ηγρύπνησεν agrupneite agrupnountes agrupnousin agrypneite agrypneîte agrypnountes agrypnoûntes agrypnousin agrypnoûsin

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