ὕπνος
hýpnos
G5258 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
sleep; the natural, periodic state of rest involving the temporary suspension of consciousness and voluntary bodily activity. In figurative or metaphorical contexts, the word may also denote a state of unconsciousness, lethargy, inactivity, or even death-like repose.
Semantic Range
sleep, the state or act of sleeping, natural or periodic bodily rest; drowsiness; metaphorical spiritual or moral lethargy; trance; figurative reference to death or unconsciousness
Root / Etymology
From the root ὑπν-; related to Latin 'somnus' and Sanskrit 'svapna', all descending from an Indo-European root for sleep. The precise Greek etymology is uncertain beyond the stem ὑπν- meaning 'sleep.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὕπνος is the standard term for 'sleep' in both classical and Koine Greek. In Greek literature, it is frequently used to describe natural human sleep, the personified Sleep (the god Hypnos), or conditions akin to sleep (such as unconsciousness or trance). In metaphorical contexts—including the Septuagint and New Testament—ὕπνος may refer to spiritual ignorance or torpor, and in some texts, it is an allegory for death (comparable to the euphemism 'to sleep' in both Greek and Semitic traditions). Translators sometimes render ὕπνος as 'slumber' or 'sleep' in English Bibles, though neither captures its occasional figurative breadth. Classical Greek occasionally uses the related term νάρκη (narkē) for unnatural numbness or stupor, but ὕπνος remains the dominant word for ordinary sleep and its metaphorical extensions. In medical and philosophical discourse, ὕπνος contrasts with both the waking state and deeper unconsciousness (such as 'coma'). New Testament usage (e.g., Romans 13:11) draws on metaphorical senses rooted in earlier literature, including the Septuagint.
Translation Consistency
ὕπνος consistently and most commonly denotes the state of sleep or sleeping. 'Sleep' is the natural, idiomatic English word covering the literal sense (rest, drowsiness) and the common figurative uses (lethargy, unconsciousness, death-like repose), making it the most natural, consistent choice for all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an obsolete primary (perhaps akin to ὑπό through the idea of subsilience); sleep, i.e. (figuratively) spiritual torpor:--sleep.
Root Family
ὕπνος (hypnos) — sleep, rest, inactivity, unconsciousness
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5258-02 |
ὕπνου | upnou | N GEN M SG |
sleep | of sleep | sleep | 4 |
G5258-01 |
ὕπνῳ | upno | N DAT M SG |
by sleep | in sleep | in sleep | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5258-02 |
Matthew 1:24 | ὕπνου | upnou | N GEN M SG |
sleep | of sleep | sleep |
G5258-01 |
Luke 9:32 | ὕπνῳ | upno | N DAT M SG |
sleep | in sleep | in sleep |
G5258-02 |
John 11:13 | ὕπνου | upnou | N GEN M SG |
sleep | of sleep | sleep |
G5258-01 |
Acts 20:9 | ὕπνῳ | upno | N DAT M SG |
by sleep | in sleep | in sleep |
G5258-02 |
Acts 20:9 | ὕπνου | upnou | N GEN M SG |
sleep | of sleep | sleep |
G5258-02 |
Romans 13:11 | ὕπνου | upnou | N GEN M SG |
sleep | of sleep | sleep |