Bible Lexicons

ἀγρυπν-έω, pf. ἠγρύπνηκα Hp. Prog. 2: —

1. lie awake, pass sleepless nights, Thgn. 471, Hp.l.c., Pl. Lg. 695a, etc.; opp. καθεύδω, X. Cyr. 8.3.42; ἀγρυπνεῖν τὴν νύκτα to pass a sleepless night, Id. HG 7.2.19, Men. 113; οἱ -οῦντες sufferers from insomnia, Dsc. 4.64.

2. metaph., to be watchful, LXX Wisdom of Solomon 6:15, Mark 13:33, Ephesians 6:18; ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν Hebrews 13:17; ἐπὶ τὰ κακά LXX Daniel 9:14 : c. inf., μηθέν σε ἐνοχλήσειν PGrenf. 2.14a3.

3. c.acc., lie awake and think of, τινά PMag.Par. 1.2966.

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).)

ἀγρυπνέω , -ῶ

(<ἄγρυπνος , seeking sleep; <ἀγρεύω , ὕπνος ),

[in LXX chiefly for H8245;]

to be sleepless, wakeful (Theogn., Xen., al.); metaph. (LXX) = cl. ἐγρήγορα , to be watchful, vigilant: Mark 13:33, Luke 21:36, Ephesians 6:18, Hebrews 13:17.†

SYN.: γρηγορέω G1127, q.v.; νήφω , associated with γ . in 1 Peter 5:8, expressing a wariness which results from self-control, a condition of moral, not merely mental alertness (v. M, Th., I, 5:6).