This verb captures the physiological moment of death—the final exhalation when life departs the body. While classical Greek used it for winds ceasing or fires dying down, the New Testament employs it with stark literalness for Jesus' death. Both Mark and Luke choose this word to describe the precise instant Christ gave up his spirit. Mark records it twice (15:37, 39)—first as narrative, then in the centurion's confession triggered by how Jesus died. Luke 23:46 combines it with Jesus' final words: 'Having said this, he breathed his last.' The word emphasizes the human, physical reality of Christ's death.