ἀνανήφω
ananḗphō
G366 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become sober again, primarily referring to a return to a state of sobriety after drunkenness; figuratively, to regain one's composure, clarity of mind, or self-control after a period of confusion, emotional disturbance, or moral error. The core meaning is literal recovery from drunkenness, but in Koine Greek, especially in the New Testament, it is used metaphorically for mental and spiritual alertness or the restoration of right judgment.
Semantic Range
to become sober again (from drunkenness), to recover self-control or mental clarity, to come to one's senses (figurative), to return to right thinking or judgment
Root / Etymology
Compound of the preposition ἀνά ('up, again') and the verb νήφω ('to be sober, to be temperate'). Formed as a denominative verb in Koine Greek; does not appear in classical sources. The prefix ἀνά intensifies or denotes repetition of the action ('to sober up again').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the New Testament (cf. 2 Tim 2:26), ἀνανήφω appears in a metaphorical sense: exhorting a recovery of moral and mental clarity after error or deception, beyond mere physical sobriety. The verb is rare and absent in classical Greek; its occurrence is limited to later and Christian literature. Standard English translations often render it as 'come to one's senses' or 'recover self,' but the underlying connotation pertains both to literal sobriety and to figurative awakening or restoration of sound judgment. The term is distinct from νήφω, which generally means 'to be sober' and can emphasize ongoing alertness and self-control; ἀνανήφω instead marks a transition or recovery. While not widely attested outside biblical or ecclesiastical Greek, it reflects a common metaphoric extension of concepts of sobriety in Hellenistic moral discourse.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀνά and νήφω; to become sober again, i.e. (figuratively) regain (one's) senses:--recover self.
Root Family
νηφ- (eknḗphō) — to be sober, to regain sobriety, to rouse oneself
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G366-01 |
ἀνανήψωσιν | ananepsosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
they may come to their senses | they might sober up again | they might come to their senses again | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G366-01 |
2 Timothy 2:26 | ἀνανήψωσιν | ananepsosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
they may come to their senses | they might sober up again | they might come to their senses again |