3524. néphalios
Berean Strong's Lexicon
néphalios: Sober, temperate, self-controlled

Original Word: νηφάλιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: néphalios
Pronunciation: nay-FAL-ee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (nay-fal'-eh-os)
Definition: Sober, temperate, self-controlled
Meaning: sober, not intoxicated (with wine), temperate, vigilant.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb "νήφω" (néphō), meaning "to be sober" or "to abstain from wine."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "néphalios," the concept of sobriety and self-control can be related to Hebrew terms like "שָׁקַט" (shaqat - to be quiet or at rest) and "סָרִיס" (saris - often translated as "eunuch," but also used metaphorically for self-control).

Usage: The term "néphalios" is used in the New Testament to describe a state of sobriety and self-control, particularly in relation to abstaining from excessive wine consumption. It conveys the idea of being clear-minded and vigilant, qualities that are essential for spiritual leadership and maturity.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, excessive drinking and indulgence were common, especially in social and religious contexts. The call to be "néphalios" was counter-cultural, urging believers to live distinctively by exercising self-control and maintaining a clear mind. This was particularly important for leaders in the early church, who were expected to set an example of godly living.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 3524 nēpháleos (an adjective, derived from 3525 /nḗphō, "to be sober") – properly, not intoxicated, free from negative influences (intoxicants); (figuratively) clear-minded; circumspect ("sober"), free from life-dominating influences.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from néphó
Definition
sober
NASB Translation
temperate (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3524: νηφαλέος

νηφαλέος (so Rec.st in 1 Timothy 3:2, 11 (where Rec.bez νηφαλαιος), after a later form) and νηφάλιος (alone well attested (Hort)), νηφάλεον (in Greek authors generally of three term.; from νήφω), sober, temperate; abstaining from wine, either entirely (Josephus, Antiquities 3, 12, 2) or at least from its immoderate use: 1 Timothy 3:2, 11; Titus 2:2. (In secular authors, especially Aeschylus and Plutarch, of things free from all infusion or addition of wine, as vessels, offerings, etc.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sober.

Or nephalios (nay-fal'-ee-os) from nepho; sober, i.e. (figuratively) circumspect -- sober.

see GREEK nepho

Forms and Transliterations
νηφαλιον νηφάλιον νηφαλιους νηφαλίους nephalion nephálion nēphalion nēphálion nephalious nephalíous nēphalious nēphalíous
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Timothy 3:2 N-AMS
GRK: γυναικὸς ἄνδρα νηφάλιον σώφρονα κόσμιον
NAS: wife, temperate, prudent,
KJV: wife, vigilant, sober,
INT: wife husband sober self-controlled respectable

1 Timothy 3:11 Adj-AMP
GRK: μὴ διαβόλους νηφαλίους πιστὰς ἐν
NAS: not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful
KJV: not slanderers, sober, faithful in
INT: not slanderers sober faithful in

Titus 2:2 Adj-AMP
GRK: Πρεσβύτας νηφαλίους εἶναι σεμνούς
NAS: Older men are to be temperate, dignified,
KJV: be sober, grave,
INT: [the] aged [men] sober to be dignified

Strong's Greek 3524
3 Occurrences


νηφάλιον — 1 Occ.
νηφαλίους — 2 Occ.

















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