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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1"/><title>Strong's Greek: 3525. νήφω (néphó) -- To be sober, to be self-controlled, to be watchful</title></title><link rel="canonical" href="http://biblehub.com/greek/3525.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/strongsnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/interlinear/vmenus/matthew/1-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmstrongs/greek/3525.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/strongs.htm">Strong's</a> > <a href="/englishmans_greek.htm">Greek</a> > 3525</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../greek/3524.htm" title="3524">◄</a> 3525. néphó <a href="../greek/3526.htm" title="3526">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Strong's Lexicon</div><div align="left"><span class="toptitle2">néphó: To be sober, to be self-controlled, to be watchful</span></div><p><span class="tophdg">Original Word: </span><span class="greek">νήφω</span><br><span class="tophdg">Part of Speech: </span>Verb<br><span class="tophdg">Transliteration: </span>néphó<br><span class="tophdg">Pronunciation: </span>NAY-fo<br><span class="tophdg">Phonetic Spelling: </span>(nay'-fo)<br><span class="tophdg">Definition: </span>To be sober, to be self-controlled, to be watchful<br><span class="tophdg">Meaning: </span>(lit: I am sober), I am calm (vigilant), circumspect.<p><span class="tophdg">Word Origin: </span>Derived from a primary verb meaning "to abstain from wine" (literally or figuratively)<p><span class="tophdg">Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: </span>While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "νήφω," the concept of sobriety and vigilance can be related to Hebrew words like "שָׁקַד" (shaqad), meaning to watch or be alert, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 1:12.<p><span class="tophdg">Usage: </span>The Greek verb "νήφω" (néphó) primarily means to be sober-minded or self-controlled. It conveys the idea of being free from the influence of intoxicants, both literally and metaphorically, and extends to being vigilant and watchful. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe a state of mental and spiritual alertness, encouraging believers to remain clear-headed and focused on their faith and responsibilities.<p><span class="tophdg">Cultural and Historical Background: </span>In the Greco-Roman world, sobriety was often associated with moral and ethical behavior. The early Christian community, living amidst a culture that frequently indulged in excess, was called to a higher standard of living. Sobriety, in this context, was not only about abstaining from physical intoxication but also about maintaining spiritual and moral clarity. The call to be sober-minded was a counter-cultural stance that emphasized discipline and readiness, especially in anticipation of Christ's return.<div class="vheading2">HELPS Word-studies</div><p class="discovery"><b>3525</b> <i>nḗphō</i> – properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, i.e. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.).</p><p class="discovery"><a href="/greek/3525.htm">3525</a> <i>/nḗphō</i> ("be sober, unintoxicated") refers to having <i>presence of mind</i> (clear judgment), enabling someone to be <i>temperate</i> (self-controlled). <a href="/greek/3525.htm">3525</a> <i>/nḗphō</i> ("uninfluenced by intoxicants") means to have "one's wits (faculties) about them," which is the opposite of being <i>irrational</i>. </p><iframe width="100%" height="85" scrolling=no src="/discovery.htm" frameborder=0 cellpadding=0></iframe><div class="vheading2">NAS Exhaustive Concordance</div><span class="hdg">Word Origin</span><br>a prim. word<br><span class="hdg">Definition</span><br>to be sober, to abstain from wine<br><span class="hdg">NASB Translation</span><br>keep sober (1), sober (5).<p><div align="center"><span class="smalltext"><iframe width="100%" height="85" scrolling=no src="/nasec.htm" frameborder=0 cellpadding=0></iframe></span></div><div class="vheading2">Thayer's Greek Lexicon</div><span class="maintitle">STRONGS NT 3525: νήφω</span><br><br><span class="arttitle"><span class="grktitle">νήφω</span></span>; 1 aorist imperative 2 person plural <span class="greek2">νήψατε</span>; from <span class="abbreviation">Theognis</span>, <span class="abbreviation">Sophocles</span>, <span class="abbreviation">Xenophon</span> down; <span class="accented">to be sober</span>; in the N. T. everywhere tropically, <span class="accented">to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect</span>: <a href="/interlinear/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8</a>; <a href="/interlinear/2_timothy/4-5.htm">2 Timothy 4:5</a>; <a href="/interlinear/1_peter/1-13.htm">1 Peter 1:13</a>; <a href="/interlinear/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>; <span class="greek2">εἰς</span> <span class="greek2">τάς</span> <span class="greek2">προσευχάς</span>, <span class="accented">unto (the offering of) prayer,</span> <a href="/interlinear/1_peter/4-7.htm">1 Peter 4:7</a>. (Synonym: see <span class="greek2"><span class="lexref">ἀγρυπνέω</span></span>; and on the word see Ellicott on Timothy, the passage cited Compare: <span class="greek2">ἀνανήφω</span>, <span class="greek2">ἐκνήφω</span>.)<FOOTNOTE:1> <br><br><iframe width="100%" height="85" scrolling=no src="/bsoft.htm" frameborder=0 cellpadding=0></iframe><div class="vheading2">Strong's Exhaustive Concordance</div>to be sober, to abstain from wine<p>Of uncertain affinity: to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet -- be sober, watch. <div class="vheading2">Forms and Transliterations</div>νηφε νήφε νῆφε νηφοντες νήφοντες νηφωμεν νήφωμεν νηψατε νήψατε nephe nêphe nēphe nē̂phe nephomen nēphōmen nḗphomen nḗphōmen nephontes nēphontes nḗphontes nepsate nēpsate nḗpsate<div class="vheading2">Links</div><a href="/interlinear/matthew/1-1.htm">Interlinear Greek</a> • <a href="/interlinear/genesis/1-1.htm">Interlinear Hebrew</a> • <a href="/strongs.htm">Strong's Numbers</a> • <a href="/englishmans_greek.htm">Englishman's Greek Concordance</a> • <a href="/englishmans_hebrew.htm">Englishman's Hebrew Concordance</a> • <a href="/texts/matthew/1-1.htm">Parallel Texts</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><div class="vheading">Englishman's Concordance</div><b><a href="/text/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural">V-PSA-1P</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/1_thessalonians/5.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3">γρηγορῶμεν καὶ <b>νήφωμεν</b> </span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/1_thessalonians/5.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> do, but let us be alert <span class="itali">and sober.</span><br><a href="/kjvs/1_thessalonians/5.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> let us watch and <span class="itali">be sober.</span><br><a href="/interlinear/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> we should watch and <span class="itali">we should be sober</span><p><b><a href="/text/1_thessalonians/5-8.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">1 Thessalonians 5:8</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural">V-PSA-1P</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/1_thessalonians/5.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3">ἡμέρας ὄντες <b>νήφωμεν</b> ἐνδυσάμενοι θώρακα</span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/1_thessalonians/5.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> But since we are of [the] day, <span class="itali">let us be sober,</span> having put<br><a href="/kjvs/1_thessalonians/5.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> of the day, <span class="itali">be sober,</span> putting on<br><a href="/interlinear/1_thessalonians/5-8.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> of day being <span class="itali">should be sober</span> having put on [the] breastplate<p><b><a href="/text/2_timothy/4-5.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">2 Timothy 4:5</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular">V-PMA-2S</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/2_timothy/4.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3">σὺ δὲ <b>νῆφε</b> ἐν πᾶσιν</span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/2_timothy/4.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> <span class="itali">But you, be sober</span> in all things,<br><a href="/kjvs/2_timothy/4.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> But <span class="itali">watch</span> thou in<br><a href="/interlinear/2_timothy/4-5.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> you moreover <span class="itali">be sober</span> in all things<p><b><a href="/text/1_peter/1-13.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">1 Peter 1:13</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural">V-PPA-NMP</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/1_peter/1.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3">διανοίας ὑμῶν <b>νήφοντες</b> τελείως ἐλπίσατε</span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/1_peter/1.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> your minds <span class="itali">for action, keep sober</span> [in spirit], fix your hope<br><a href="/kjvs/1_peter/1.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> mind, <span class="itali">be sober,</span> and hope<br><a href="/interlinear/1_peter/1-13.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> mind of you <span class="itali">being sober</span> perfectly hope<p><b><a href="/text/1_peter/4-7.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">1 Peter 4:7</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural">V-AMA-2P</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/1_peter/4.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3">οὖν καὶ <b>νήψατε</b> εἰς προσευχάς</span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/1_peter/4.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> be of sound judgment <span class="itali">and sober</span> [spirit] for the purpose of prayer.<br><a href="/kjvs/1_peter/4.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> sober, and <span class="itali">watch</span> unto prayer.<br><a href="/interlinear/1_peter/4-7.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> therefore and <span class="itali">be watchful</span> unto prayers<p><b><a href="/text/1_peter/5-8.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">1 Peter 5:8</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural">V-AMA-2P</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/1_peter/5.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3"><b>Νήψατε</b> γρηγορήσατε ὁ</span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/1_peter/5.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> <span class="itali">Be of sober</span> [spirit], be on the alert.<br><a href="/kjvs/1_peter/5.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> <span class="itali">Be sober,</span> be vigilant; because<br><a href="/interlinear/1_peter/5-8.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> <span class="itali">Be sober</span> watch the<p><b><a href="/greek/3525.htm">Strong's Greek 3525</a><br><a href="/greek/strongs_3525.htm">6 Occurrences</a></b><br><br><a href="/greek/ne_phe_3525.htm">νῆφε — 1 Occ.</a><br><a href="/greek/ne_pho_men_3525.htm">νήφωμεν — 2 Occ.</a><br><a href="/greek/ne_phontes_3525.htm">νήφοντες — 1 Occ.</a><br><a href="/greek/ne_psate_3525.htm">νήψατε — 2 Occ.</a><br><br></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><br /> </div> <div id="left"><a href="/greek/3524.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="3524"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="3524" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/greek/3526.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="3526"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="3526" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchap.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>