ἀγρυπνέω
Be watchful
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.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does ἀγρυπνέω (agrypnéō) mean in the Bible?
ἀγρυπνέω (agrypnéō) is a Greek word meaning "be watchful". ἀγρυπνέω, -ῶ (ἄγρυπνος, seeking sleep ; ἀγρεύω, ὕπνος), [in LXX chiefly for שׁקד ;] to be sleepless, wakeful (Theogn. Commands spiritual alertness.
Meaning
Vigilant wakefulness implying sustained moral alertness, not merely mental awareness or momentary consciousness.
to be sleepless, wakeful (Theogn., Xen., al.); metaphorically (LXX) = cl. ἐγρήγορα, to be watchful, vigilant: Mrk.13:33, Luk.21:36, Eph.6:18, Heb.13:17.
Why This Word Matters
Commands spiritual alertness. Hebrews 13:7-17
Expresses ongoing spiritual alertness. Luke 21:34–36
Describes pastoral vigilance and accountability. Mark 13:32–37
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
Imperative command or strong request 2×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 1×
Indicative states a fact or reality 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 4 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain