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διψάω

dipsáō

G1372 verb

SILEX Entry

Root διψ- to thirst, to long for, to desire intensely

Definition

To experience thirst (a physiological need for water); more broadly, to desire or long deeply for something, especially in a figurative sense (such as longing for righteousness, justice, or spiritual fulfillment). The core meaning is a physical sensation of needing liquid, but in certain contexts, it expresses metaphorical longing or deep desire.

Semantic Range

to be thirsty; to feel thirst; to experience dehydration; to long deeply for; to desire earnestly; to yearn (especially for something not present, e.g., righteousness, God, fulfillment)

Root / Etymology

From the root διψ- (dips-, 'thirst, dryness'), related to δίψος (dípsos, 'thirst'). The verb form διψάω is built on this root. The connection to Aramaic or Hebrew terms is possible in figurative, especially LXX, usage, but the origin is Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, διψάω means primarily 'to be thirsty' (literally needing water). The figurative use, meaning 'to long deeply for' or 'to desire,' becomes prominent in Hellenistic and early Jewish-Greek literature, including the Septuagint and New Testament, where it often conveys longing for justice, righteousness, or God (e.g., Matthew 5:6; John 19:28). In the Septuagint, διψάω often renders Hebrew צָמֵא (tsame), retaining both physical and metaphorical senses. The English translation 'to thirst' (or 'to be thirsty') captures the base literal meaning but can miss the strength of figurative yearning in certain contexts. The verb is used in both active ('I thirst') and passive constructions, and its metaphorical sense should not be confused with mere physical need but recognized as a strong and sometimes spiritual yearning. The semantic range in Koine Greek is stable, but context determines whether it expresses bodily need or intense longing.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a variation of δίψος; to thirst for (literally or figuratively):--(be, be a-)thirst(-y).

Root Family

διψάω (dipsaō) — to thirst, to long for, to desire intensely

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1372-02 διψήσει dipsesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG thirst he/she/it will thirst 3
G1372-04 διψῶ dipso V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P SG I thirst I may thirst 2
G1372-10 ἐδίψησα edipsesa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I thirsted 2
G1372-07 διψῶντα dipsonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG thirsting 2
G1372-01 διψᾷ dipsa V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG is thirsty may thirst 2
G1372-08 διψῶντες dipsontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL those thirsting 1
G1372-03 διψήσουσιν dipsesousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL they will thirst 1
G1372-09 διψῶντι dipsonti V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG thirsty to a thirsting one 1
G1372-05 διψῶμεν dipsomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL thirst we thirst 1
G1372-06 διψῶν dipson V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG who is thirsty one thirsting 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1372-08 Matthew 5:6 διψῶντες dipsontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL those thirsting
G1372-10 Matthew 25:35 ἐδίψησα edipsesa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I thirsted
G1372-07 Matthew 25:37 διψῶντα dipsonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG thirsting
G1372-10 Matthew 25:42 ἐδίψησα edipsesa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I thirsted
G1372-07 Matthew 25:44 διψῶντα dipsonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG thirsting
G1372-02 John 4:13 διψήσει dipsesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will thirst he/she/it will thirst
G1372-02 John 4:14 διψήσει dipsesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG thirst he/she/it will thirst
G1372-04 John 4:15 διψῶ dipso V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P SG I thirst I may thirst
G1372-02 John 6:35 διψήσει dipsesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG thirst he/she/it will thirst
G1372-01 John 7:37 διψᾷ dipsa V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG thirsts may thirst
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