ἀφυπνόω
aphupnoō
to fall sleep
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἀφυπνόω (aphupnoō) is a verb that translates to "to fall sleep." Its definition is straightforward, indicating a transition from a state of being awake to one of sleep. Given its limited occurrence in the Bible, once, its meaning is not subject to extensive interpretation. As a verb, ἀφυπνόω likely describes a momentary or sudden act of falling asleep, rather than a persistent or long-term state of sleepiness. Its range of usage is thus specific, focusing on this singular instance in the biblical text. There is no indication that ἀφυπνόω carries any connotations or secondary meanings, making it a straightforward term for describing sleep. The significance of ἀφυπνόω lies in its brief appearance in the biblical narrative. While its meaning is clear, its context and the events surrounding it in the biblical text are left to interpretation.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text