νηφᾰλ-έος G3524
sober, temperate, clear-headed and self-controlled
This adjective describes sobriety and self-control, both literal abstinence from excess wine and metaphorical clear-headedness. Overseers must be 'sober-minded' (1 Tim 3:2). Deacons' wives likewise must be 'temperate' (1 Tim 3:11). Older men should be 'sober-minded' (Titus 2:2). The term emphasizes mental clarity, self-discipline, and freedom from intoxication or passion. Spanish 'sobrio/sobrias' and German 'nüchtern' both carry the dual sense of alcohol-sobriety and behavioral temperance.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Sober, temperate, or clear-headed—characterized by self-control and freedom from intoxication or excess. The term νηφάλιος/νηφάλεος is a qualification for church leaders (1 Tim 3:2, 3:11) and older men (Titus 2:2), emphasizing both literal sobriety (not given to wine) and metaphorical temperance (mentally disciplined, balanced). Spanish 'sobrio' and German 'nüchtern' preserve the dual meaning: abstaining from drunkenness and maintaining sober judgment. 3×
AR["صاحِياتٍ", "صاحِياً", "صاحِينَ"]·ben["সংযমী", "সংযমী,"]·DE["nuechtern"]·EN["temperate"]·FR["νηφάλιον", "νηφαλίους"]·heb["פִּקְחִיּוֹת", "פִּקֵּחַ", "צְלולִים"]·HI["सचेत", "सन्तुलित"]·ID["tenang", "tidak-mabuk"]·IT["nēphalion", "nēphalious"]·jav["waspada", "waspada,"]·KO["절제하는,", "절제하는-자들"]·PT["sóbrias", "sóbrio", "sóbrios"]·RU["трезвым", "трезвыми"]·ES["sobrias", "sobrio", "sobrios"]·SW["mwenye-kiasi", "wenye-kiasi"]·TR["ayık"]·urd["ہوشیار"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
νηφᾰλ-έος, α, ον, ={νηφάλιος}, Hdn.Gr. 2.908, +others; ={σώφρων}, Refs 8th c.BC+ adverb -έως sanely, ξυντελέσαι δόμον Refs 2nd c.AD+