Lexical Summary ekpsuchó: To expire, to breathe one's last, to die. Original Word: ἐκψυχώ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance give up the ghost. From ek and psucho; to expire -- give (yield) up the ghost. see GREEK ek see GREEK psucho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and psuchó Definition to expire, breathe one's last NASB Translation breathed her last (1), breathed his last (1), died (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1634: ἐκψύχωἐκψύχω: 1 aorist ἐξεψυξα; to expire, to breathe out one's life (see ἐκπνέω): Acts 5:5, 10; Acts 12:23. (Hippocrates ( Topical Lexicon OverviewThe verb translated “breathed his (or her) last” appears only three times in the New Testament, each time in the Book of Acts (Acts 5:5; Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23). In every instance it marks an immediate, public death that demonstrates God’s direct judgment rather than ordinary mortality. Occurrences in Acts Acts 5:5. “On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard”. Acts 5:10. “At that instant she fell down at his feet and breathed her last”. Acts 12:23. “Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him, and he was eaten by worms and died” (BSB; the underlying Greek verb is the same). Divine judgment made visible The deaths of Ananias, Sapphira, and Herod Agrippa I are not portrayed as coincidences. Luke presents each event as God’s swift response to specific sins—deceit within the covenant community and prideful usurpation of God’s glory by a ruler. The verb underscores that the “breath of life” belongs to the Creator and can be reclaimed instantly when His holiness is defied. Impact on the early church After the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, “great fear came upon the whole church” (Acts 5:11). Far from hindering growth, this fear fostered sincerity, unity, and respect for the presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:12–14). The early believers learned that grace does not cancel divine holiness; instead, it heightens accountability within the household of God. Contrast with ordinary death language Acts elsewhere uses gentler terms for dying (“fell asleep” in Acts 7:60; “died” in Acts 9:37). The selective use of this verb stresses an extraordinary, judicial element. The narrative parallels Old Testament accounts where God acted decisively against Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1–2) or Korah’s company (Numbers 16:31–35), reinforcing the continuity of God’s character across covenants. Historical and cultural background In Hellenistic literature, sudden death at the hands of offended deities was a familiar motif. Luke employs similar vocabulary but grounds it in biblical theology. The fatal acts occur not because of capricious gods but because the righteous Lord guards His glory and the purity of His people. Herod’s fate in particular would resonate with a Greco-Roman audience aware of the dangers of hubris yet redirected toward the one true God. Theological implications 1. Holiness of the Spirit. Lying or competing for divine honor within the church confronts the immediate presence of God (Acts 5:3–4). Practical ministry applications • Church discipline: The passages encourage transparent, Spirit-led accountability (1 Corinthians 5:6–8). Conclusion Strong’s Greek 1634 highlights the sobering reality that life’s breath is God’s gift, granted and withdrawn at His will. The term serves as a lasting witness that deceit, pride, and robbing God of His glory invite swift judgment, while reverence, integrity, and humility invite blessing. Forms and Transliterations εκψύξει εκψυχούσα εξέψυξε εξεψυξεν εξέψυξεν ἐξέψυξεν exepsuxen exepsyxen exépsyxenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 5:5 V-AIA-3SGRK: τούτους πεσὼν ἐξέψυξεν καὶ ἐγένετο NAS: fell down and breathed his last; and great KJV: fell down, and gave up the ghost: and INT: these having fallen down breathed his last And came Acts 5:10 V-AIA-3S Acts 12:23 V-AIA-3S |
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