What does νηφάλεος (nēpháleos) mean in the Bible?
νηφάλεος (nēpháleos): Clarity of mind achieved through self-control and abstinence from intoxication, not mere absence of drink
Greek · G3524
νηφάλεος
Sober
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
νηφάλεος G3524
Pronunciation nēpháleos
What does νηφάλεος (nēpháleos) mean in the Bible?
νηφάλεος (nēpháleos): Clarity of mind achieved through self-control and abstinence from intoxication, not mere absence of drink
Full entry for νηφάλεος (G3524) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G3524?
The BSB source-word alignment has 3 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include temperate (2), [but] temperate (1).
Where does νηφάλεος (nēpháleos) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 1 Timothy 3:2. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Timothy (2), Titus (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It temperate 2× 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 2:2
[but] temperate 1× 1 Timothy 3:11
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row 1 Timothy 3:2
Aligned rows 3
Books represented 2
1 Timothy 2 Titus 1
Source forms
νηφαλίους 2x nēphalious 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:2
νηφάλιον 1x nēphalion 1 Timothy 3:2
Parsing patterns
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural 1x 1 Timothy 3:11
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural 1x Titus 2:2
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular 1x 1 Timothy 3:2
Evidence Summary
Greek word. Clarity of mind achieved through self-control and abstinence from intoxication, not mere absence of drink
Source Gloss
sober
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
3 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
1 Timothy 3:2 Adjective Accusative Singular Masculine
νηφάλιον, nhfalion
sober, temperate
Read verse 1 Timothy 3:11 Adjective Accusative Plural Feminine
νηφαλίους, nhfaliouv
sober, temperate
Read verse Titus 2:2 Adjective Accusative Plural Masculine
νηφαλίους nhfaliouv
sober, temperate
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Word Origins
νηφάλεος is built from this root:
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain