1 Thessalonians 5:19 — Word Study
N1904τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
BSATheho Spiritpneuma [the vital principle, God's presence, the breath of God, divine influence] notmē do quench;sbennumi▸ [refuse, quench, put out, stop]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| τὸ | The | Article, accusative, singular |
| πνεῦμα | Spirit | Noun, accusative, singular |
| μὴ | not | Particle, negative |
| σβέννυτε· | do quench; | Verb, present, active |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Do not extinguish the Spirit. |
| KJV | Quench not the Spirit. |
| ASV | Quench not the Spirit; |
| YLT | The Spirit quench not; |
| WEB | Don’t quench the Spirit. |
| BBE | Do not put out the light of the Spirit; |
Where they part company is σβέννυτε — see How Translations Differ.
The verse contains a single imperative command, focusing directly on the action to be avoided.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbσβέννυμι
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the New Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — ὁ, the commonest word in the Greek New Testament, stands 19,867 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Exhortations for Christian Livinggenerated
1 Thessalonians 5:19 is part of Paul's concluding instructions to the Thessalonian church, where he provides a series of practical commands to guide their behavior and spiritual life. He emphasizes gratitude, discernment, and respect for the work of the Holy Spirit, which is crucial for their growth and relationship with God. Paul urges them not to quench the Spirit, reminding them of its essential role in their faith journey.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Song of Solomon 8:7 | |
| 2 | Ephesians 4:30 | And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. |
| 3 | Ephesians 6:16 | In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. |
| 4 | Genesis 6:3 | So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.” |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 16:4 | So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — πνεῦμα, pneumagenerated
The word πνεῦμα is a noun meaning 'spirit' or 'breath' and can refer to both the human spirit and the Holy Spirit. In this verse, it signifies the divine presence and influence within believers.
The parsing indicates it is in the accusative case, singular, and neuter, which shows it is the direct object of the verb. This highlights the focus on the Spirit as something that can be actively engaged with or suppressed.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse reads, 'Do not extinguish the Spirit.' This is consistent across several translations, including the KJV and ASV, which use 'Quench not the Spirit.'
However, the BBE translates it as 'Do not put out the light of the Spirit,' which introduces a different metaphor while maintaining the same core message.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is σβέννυτε, do quench, which is an imperative directed at the Thessalonians. The structure is straightforward, with a single command emphasizing the action they are to avoid.
The command stands alone as a complete thought, focusing on the relationship between the believers and the Spirit, which is crucial for their spiritual vitality.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, the word πνεῦμα (pneuma), meaning "Spirit," corresponds to the Hebrew רוּחַ (ruach), which can denote breath, wind, or spirit. This choice emphasizes the dynamic and vital nature of the Spirit, suggesting that it should not be stifled or diminished.
The term σβέννυτε (sbennumi), meaning "do quench," aligns with the Hebrew כָּבָה (kabah), which conveys the idea of extinguishing or putting out a fire. This connection reinforces the warning against suppressing the Spirit's influence, likening it to extinguishing a flame.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Thessalonians 5:19 instructs believers not to extinguish the Spirit. This means they should not suppress or ignore the influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, which is vital for their faith and spiritual growth.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To quench the Spirit means to suppress or ignore the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in one's life, which can hinder spiritual growth.
The Holy Spirit is essential for guiding, teaching, and empowering believers to live according to God's will and to grow in their faith.
Avoiding quenching the Spirit involves being open to the Spirit's leading, engaging in prayer, studying scripture, and being receptive to God's voice.
Signs of quenching the Spirit may include a lack of spiritual passion, disobedience to God's promptings, and a diminished sense of God's presence.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I be more receptive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in my daily life?
- What practices can help me avoid quenching the Spirit's influence?
- How does the Holy Spirit empower me to live out my faith?
- What are some areas in my life where I might be suppressing the Spirit's work?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church Fathers referenced this verse to emphasize the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers and the need to remain receptive to His influence.
Now, from whom shall I expect (the fulfil-merit of) all this, except from Him whom I have heard give the promise thereof? What "spirit" does he forbid us to "quench," and what "prophesyings" to "despise? " Not the Creator's spirit,Early Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
We can thus see why Paul, not wanting the grace of the Spirit given to us to grow cold, exhorts us, “Do not quench the Spirit.” The only way we can continue to be partakers of Christ is to cling until the end to the Holy Spirit,Early Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
"Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. But prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil." A thick mist, a darkness and cloud is spread over all the earth.Early Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Thessalonians 5:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleQuench not the spirit. By which is meant, not the person of the Spirit, but either the graces of the spirit, which may be compared to light, and fire, and heat, to which the allusion is in the text;
Read John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 5 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryQuench not the Spirit. Quench not - The Spirit being a holy fire: 'where the Spirit is, He burns' (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:3).
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Thessalonians 5 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThat ye may be enabled to pray and give thanks, as before: Quench not the Spirit. And, by the figure meiosis, he means, cherish the Spirit. The Spirit is compared to fire, ; and he came down upon the apostles in the similitude, of tongues of fire, ; but the Spirit himself cannot be quenched; he means it therefore of his gifts and operations; which are either ordinary or extraordinary. Many had extraordinary gifts in the primitive times, of healing, tongues, government, prophecy, &c.; those that had them, without question, should have taken care not, by any fault of their own, to lose them. Especially that of prophecy, which the apostle prefers before all others, , and mentions here in the…
Read Matthew Poole on 1 Thessalonians 5 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments19 Quench not the Spirit. Ver. 19. Quench not the Spirit] In his motions or graces. See the canon for the fire on the altar, and observe it, Leviticus 6:12-13. Confess here as Hezekiah did, 2 Chronicles 29:6-7. And take the apostle’ s counsel, 2 Timothy 1:6. Stir up this fire on the hearth of our hearts; let the priest’ s lips blow it up into a flame; despise not prophesying, &c. It may be quenched either by the withdrawing of fuel (neglect of ordinances) or by casting on water (falling into foul courses).
Read John Trapp on 1 Thessalonians 5 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(19) Quench not the Spirit.—The mention of prayer and thanksgiving (eucharistia), by which public as well as private worship is intended, leads St. Paul on to the mention of other parts of the service. The gloom and depression to which an antidote is administered in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 had been such as almost to extinguish that fire of enthusiasm which ought to have burst out in prayers, praises, thanksgivings, and “prophecies.” The “Spirit” here must not be taken too sharply to mean the Person of the Holy Ghost: the Person of the Holy Ghost maybe grieved (Ephesians 4:30), expelled (Psalms 51:11), neglected (1 Timothy 4:14), but (though His working on the individual may be stopped) He…
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Thessalonians 5 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 19. Quench not the Spirit.] The Holy Spirit is represented as a fire, because it is his province to enlighten and quicken the soul; and to purge, purify, and refine it. This Spirit is represented as being quenched when any act is done, word spoken, or temper indulged, contrary to its dictates. It is the Spirit of love, and therefore anger, malice, revenge, or any unkind or unholy temper, will quench it so that it will withdraw its influences; and then the heart is left in a state of hardness and darkness. It has been observed that fire may be quenched as well by heaping earth on it as by throwing water on it; and so the love of the world will as effectually grieve and quench the…
Read AdamClarke on 1 Thessalonians 5 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesSection VII. Rules for the Sanctified Life. Ch. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 In Section v. (ch. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12) the saintship of his readers supplied the basis and the nerve of the Apostle’s charge. He there enforced on the Thessalonian believers the virtues which they needed to cultivate, in the light of their consecration to God. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit served as the sovereign motive for the leading of a pure life (ch. 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8). The same thought runs through this Section. The string of sententious exhortations it contains, find their goal and their uniting principle in the prayer, “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you fully” (1…
Read Cambridge on 1 Thessalonians 5 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleQuench not the Spirit - This language is taken from the way of putting out a fire, and the sense is, we are not to extinguish the influences of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Read Albert Barnes on 1 Thessalonians 5 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Do not extinguish the Spirit.
Don’t quench the Spirit.
Do not extinguish the Spirit.
Do not extinguish the Spirit.
Tyndale line
Quench not the Spirit.
Quench not the Spirit;
Quench not the Spirit;
Quench not the spirit.
Quench not the Spirit.
Strictly literal
quench not the Spirit;
The Spirit quench not;
Do not quench the Spirit;
Do not quench the Spirit.
From the Latin
Extinguish not the spirit.
Simplified
Don't hold the Spirit back,
Do not put out the light of the Spirit;
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the Nestle 1904 treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The earliest translations — Latin and Syriac
Every translation is an argument about meaning made by someone who had to commit to one. These two were made while the Greek was still a living language, and they are the oldest opinions we have about what this verse says.
Spiritum nolite extinguere.
Jerome revised the Old Latin against the Greek from AD 382; the Latin west read this text for a thousand years.
ܪܘܚܐ ܠܐ ܬܕܥܟܘܢ
The Bible of the Syriac-speaking church, in the language nearest to the Aramaic Jesus spoke.
Shown verse by verse rather than word by word: aligning a Greek word to its Latin or Syriac counterpart automatically would be guesswork, and a wrong alignment is worse than none.
The Greek editions compared — what the manuscripts actually say
Eight printed editions of the Greek New Testament, side by side. Where they agree the wording is settled; where a word is missing from an edition it is marked, so you can see the difference rather than take it on trust.
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
The standard critical text of the New Testament.
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
The previous edition, still widely cited.
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
The Society of Biblical Literature edition, freely licensed.
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
The edition that turned scholarship toward the earliest manuscripts.
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
An independent critical text built from the oldest witnesses then known.
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
A recent critical edition following documentary evidence closely.
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
The reading of the majority of surviving manuscripts.
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε·
The printed tradition behind the King James Version.
A witness that read differently would show its variant word here, marked.
Word by word, across the editions
Every edition agrees. All 8 printed editions — Nestle-Aland 28, Nestle-Aland 27, SBLGNT, Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Tyndale House 2017, Textus Receptus (KJV), Byzantine majority — carry every word of this verse, in the same order, with no difference that any translator would render differently.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Greek New Testament — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Thessalonians 5:19
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Greek lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. Imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, the full Liddell-Scott-Jones, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate LSJ, Robinson and Packard on the Greek, Webster and Cawdrey on the English the translators were using. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The definite article — the commonest word in the Greek New Testament at 19,867 occurrences. Greek uses it more freely than English does and can drop it deliberately, so its presence and its absence both carry weight for a translator; but no single occurrence carries a message of its own. Here it simply gathers “the things” into one definite bundle.
ὁ, ἡ, τό,
the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article.
As demonstr. pron.
As freq. in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Ac 17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus).
ὁ 435 ὁ tives of quantity, ὅλος, πᾶς, πολύς, see each in its own place. d. What has been said concerning adjectives holds true also of all other limitations added to substantives, as ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Ro. ix. 11; ἡ παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη, Ro. xi. 27; 6 λόγος 6 τοῦ σταυροῦ, 1 Co. i. 18; ἡ εἰς Χριστὸν πίστις, Col. ii. 5; on the other hand, ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν ἡ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, 1 Th. i. 8; τῆς διακονίας τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους, 2 Co. viii. 4; see many other exx. of each usage in W. 131 (124) sqq.; [B. 91 (80) sqq.]. e. The noun has the article before it when a demonstrative pronoun (υὗτος, ἐκεῖνος) belonging to it either precedes or follows [W. § 18, 4; B. § 127, 29-31]; as, ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος, Jn. ix. 24 [οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρ. 1, Tr mrg. WH); Acts vi. 13; xxii. 26; ὁ λαὸς οὗτος, Mt. xv. 8; 6 vids σου οὗτος, Lk. xv. 30; plur. Lk. xxiv. 17, and numberless other exx.; οὗτος 6 ἄνθρωπος, Lk. xiv. 30; οὗτος ὁ…
Read the full entry →ὃ, ἡ τό. (1) Apart from connexion with μέν or δέ (see below) the demonstrative use of the art. in the NT is confined to a poetical quotation Ac 1778, but it is not uncommon in the papyri, e.g. P Par 45® (B.C. 153) (= Witkowski®, p. 85) τὰ (for ἃ) πράσεις (Δ πράσσεις), P Oxy VIII. 1160! (iii/iv A.D.) Ta (for ἃ) σεσύλληχα (for συνείληχα) δὲ κέρμα {ταν τηρῶ αὐτὰ εἰς τὴν δίκην, “1 am keeping for the trial the money that I have collected” (Ed.). For the distributive Opéev.. - 6 8€, as in 1 Cor7’, cf. P Lond 535 (B.c. 161) (=I. p. 19, U.P.Z. i. p. 239) kal τὰ μὲν ἡμῶν ἐληφότων εἰς τὴν γινομένην ἡμῖν συντάξειν, τὰ δ᾽ ἔτι διὰ τὴν τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων {(.. ... > παρελκομένων. (2) The use of the art. as a relative, of which there is no trace in the NT, may again be illustrated by the following papyrus citations from ¢c. A.D. 346—P Lond 414® (= II. Ῥ. 292) γεινῴσκιν oe θέλω περὶ τοῦ βρεουίου…
Read the full entry →ὁ (ho) — the/this/who.
ὁ,
ἡ, τό, is, when thus written,
__A demonstrative Pronoun.
__B in Attic dialect, definite or prepositive Article.
__C in Epic dialect, the so-called postpositive Article, = relative Pronoun, ὅς, ἥ, ὅ.—The nominative masculine and feminine singular and plural, ὁ, ἡ, οἱ, αἱ, have no accent in codices and most printed books, except when used as the relative; but ὁ, ἡ, οἱ, αἱ differ only in writing from ὃ, ἣ, οἳ, α; the nominative forms of the article are said by Hdn.Gr.1.474 to be oxytone, and by [Refs 2nd c.AD+] in Aeolic dialect accusative to [Refs 8th c.BC+] genitive and dative dual τοῖιν [Refs 8th c.BC+]— In Doric dialect and all other dialects except Attic dialect and Ionic dialect the feminine forms preserve the old ᾱ instead of changing it to η, hence Doric dialect etc. ἁ, τάν, τᾶ; the genitive plural τάων contracts in many dialects to τᾶ; the genitive…
ὁ ἡ τό
ho
he hay, and the neuter
to to
in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be
supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one,
he, she, it, etc.
ὁ, ἡ, τό
Article
the
ὁ ho 19x
the prepositive article, answering, to a considerable extent, to the English definite article; but, for the principle and facts of its usage, consult a grammar; ὁ μὲν ... ὁ δέ, the one ... the other, Phil. 1:16, 17; Heb. 7:5, 6, 20, 21, 23, 24; pl. some ... others, Mt. 13:23; 22:5, 6; ὁ δέ, but he, Mt. 4:4; 12:48; οἱ δέ, but others, Mt. 28:17; used, in a poetic quotation, for a personal pronoun, Acts 17:28
ὁ the, that
ὁ, ἡ, τό, is
demonstr. Pronoun.
the definite Article.
in epic, the relative Pronoun, when it is written with the accent ὅ, ἥ, τό ῀ ὅς, ἥ, ὅ. Besides the common forms, note epic gen. sg. τοῖο for τοῦ; pl. nom. τοί, ταί; gen. fem. τάων [α^], dat. τοῖσι, τῇς and τῇσι; dual gen, and dat. τοῖιν:— in Trag. we find τοὶ μέν . . , τοὶ δέ . . , for οἱ μέν . . , οἱ δέ . . ; dat. pl. also τοῖσι, ταῖσι: the dual has commonly but one gender, τώ for τά, τοῖν for ταῖν.
DEMONSTR. PRONOUN:
joined with a Subst., not as the Art., but like Lat. ille, ὁ Τυδείδης Tydeus's famous son, Il.; Νέστωρ ὁ γέρων Nestor— that aged man, id. Il.; τιμῆς τῆς Πριάμου for honour, namely that of Priam, id. Il.
Art-ASN — Article · accusative · singular · neuteraccusative — the one it is done to — the object.
Agrees with anything else marked singular neuter.
T-ASN Part of Speech: definite arTicle Case: Accusative Number: Singular Gender: Neuter
THE, an adjective or definitive adjective.
1. This adjective is used as a definitive, that is, before nouns which are specific or understood; or it is used to limit their signification to a specific thing or things, or to describe them; as the laws of the twelve tables. the independent tribunals of justice in our country, are the security or private rights, and the best bulwark against arbitrary power. the sun is the source of light and heat.
This he calls the preaching of the cross.
2. the is also used rhetorically before a noun in the singular number, to denote a species by way of distinction; a single thing representing the whole. the fig tree putteth forth her green figs; the almond tree shall flourish; the grasshopper shall be a burden.
3. In poetry, the sometimes loses the final vowel before another vowel.
Th' adorning thee with so much art,
Is but a barb'rous skill.
20,685 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 83 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.
Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 19,783 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.
← what comes before
what comes after →
branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path
40 inflected forms — one of the commonest words in the New Testament. Full distribution →
Τῶν ἄλλων νομοθετῶν οἱ μὲν ἀκαλλώπιστα καὶ γυμνὰ τὰ νομισθέντα παρ’ αὐτοῖς εἶναι δίκαια διετάξαντο, οἱ δὲ πολὺν ὄγκον τοῖς νοήμασι προσπεριβαλόντες ἐξετύφωσαν τὰ πλήθη μυθικοῖς πλάσμασι τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἐπικρύψαντες.
ἡ τοῦ κόσμου σύστασις καὶ διάταξις τῶν στοιχείων.
Χαίρετε, υἱοὶ καὶ θυγατέρες, ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντος ἡμᾶς, ἐν εἰρήνῃ.
r βασιλεύοντος Πτολεμαίου τοῦ ἐπικαλουμένου Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Βερενίκης τῆς ἀδελφῆς θεῶν Φιλομητόρων ἔτους ιε, ἐφʼ ἱερέων καὶ ἱερειῶν
ιζ Θῶυθ κη ἀπέδοτο Πετεσοῦχος Φίβιος καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τὸ ὕπαρχον αὐτοῖς ἥμισυ περιστερῶνος τοῦ ὄντος ἐν τῶι ἀπὸ βορρᾶ μέρει Παθύρεως χαλκοῦ Γ. ἐπρίατο Ὧρος Νεχούτου.
βασιλευόντων Πτολεμαίου τοῦ ἐπικαλουμένου Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Βερενίκης τῆς ἀδελφῆς θεῶν φιλομητόρων ἔτους ιϛ, ἐφʼ ἱερέων καὶ ἱερειῶν
The Greek word πνεῦμα (i.e., *pneuma*) means 'spirit' or 'breath' and is derived from the verb πνέω (to blow). It encompasses various meanings, including air in motion, the vital principle of life, and spiritual beings such as angels and demons. In the New Testament, it frequently refers to the Holy Spirit and the human spirit, appearing in contexts that contrast it with the body or flesh.
From the words into comparison with which πνεῦμα is here brought, it will be evident that it is proposed to deal with it in its natural and earthly, not in its supernatural and heavenly, meaning. Only I will observe, that on the relations between πνοή and πνεῦμα in this its higher sense there is a discussion in Augustine, De Civ. Dei, xiii. 22; cf. De Anim. et huj. Orig. i. 14, 19. The first three words of this group, as they designate not things heavenly but things earthly, differ from one another exactly as, according to Seneca, do in the Latin ‘aér,’ ‘spiritus,’ ‘ ventus’ (Nat. Qu. v. 13) : ‘Spiritum a vento motus' separat; vehementior enim spiritus ventus est; invicem spiritus leviter fluens aer.’ Πνοή and πνεῦμα occur not seldom together, as at Isai. xlii. 5; lvii. 16; πνοή conveying the impression of a lighter, gentler, motion of the air than πνεῦμα, as ‘aura’ than ‘ventus.’…
Read the full entry →πνεῦμα, -τος, τό, (πνέω), Grk. writ. fr. Aeschyl. and Hdt. down; Hebr. may, Lat. spiritus; i. 6. 1. a movement of air, (gentle) blast; a. of the wind: ἀνέμων πνεύματα, Hat. 7,16, 1; Paus. 5, 25; hence the wind itself, Jn. iii. 8; plur. Heb. i. 7, (1 K. xviii. 45; xix. 11; Job i. 19; Ps. ciii. (civ.) 4, etc.; often in Grk. writ.). b. breath of the nostrils or mouth, often in Grk. writ. fr. Aeschyl. down: πνεῦμα τοῦ στόματος, 2 Th. ii. 8 (Ps. xxxii. (xxxiii.) 6, ef. Is. xi. 4); mv. ζωῆς, the breath of life, Rev. xi. 11 (Gen. vi. 17, cf. πνοὴ ζωῆς, il. 7). [πνεῦμα and πνοή seem to have been in the main coincident terms; but avon became the more poetical. Both retain a suggestion of their evident etymology. Even in class. Grk. πνεῦμα became as freq. and as wide in its application as ἄνεμος. (Schmidt ch. 55, 7; Trench § lxxiii.) ] 2. the spirit, i.e. the vital principle by which the body 18…
Read the full entry →πνεῦμα. This is a notable ex. of those words, whose meaning has been so deepened and enriched through Christian influences, that we cannot expect our sources to throw much light on their use in the NT. One or two points may, however, be noted. Thus for the more literal meaning of the word we may cite P Oxy VI. 9047 (v/A.D.), where a certain Flavius petitions a praeses on the ground ὡς λοιπὸν εἰς αὐτὸ τὸ τῆς σωτηρίας πνεῦμα δυστυχῖν pe, “so that at last the very breath of my life is in danger” (Edd.). In P Leid Wii 2 (ii/iii A.D.) (= II. p. 157) reference is made to a book which περιέχει γέννησιν πνεύματος, πυρὸς Kal okdTo(=ov)s, ‘contains the creation of spirit, fire and darkness.” The same document αν. 4 shows οὐ ἀντιτάξεταί μοι πᾶν πνεῦμα, οὐ δαιμόνιον, οὐ συνάτ(--άντ)ημα. Reminiscent of LXX Numb 1622, 2716, isthe Jewish ‘‘ prayer for vengeance” from Rheneia, Sy// 816 (=#1181)*, which…
Read the full entry →πνεῦμα (pneuma) — spirit/breath: spirit.
πνεῦμα, ατος, τό,
(πνέω) blast, wind, first in [Refs 6th c.BC+]: frequently in Trag., etc., ἀνέμων πνεύματα πάντων [Refs 4th c.BC+]; θαλάσσας.. πνεύματι λάβρῳ [Refs 5th c.BC+] is commoner in Poets; [Refs 8th c.BC+]; κατὰ πρύμναν ἵσταται τὸ π.[Refs 5th c.BC+]; κατὰ πνεῦμα στῆναι τοῦ ἄρρενος to leeward of him, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; but κατὰ π. προσιόντες down wind, [Refs]; πνεύματος ἀνείλησις, ἐκπύρωσις, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; as an element, air, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]
2. metaphorically, θαλερωτέρῳ π. with more genial breeze or influence, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; αἰδοίῳ π. χώρας with air or spirit of respect on the part of the country, [Refs]; π. ταὐτὸν οὔποτ᾽.. ἐν ἀνδράσιν φίλοις βέβηκεν the…
πνεῦμα
pneuma
from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by
analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by
implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or
(superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the
Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
see GREEK for 4154
see GREEK for 5590
πνεῦμα, ατος, τό
n.n.
wind, breath, spirit
πνεῦμα pneuma 379x
wind, air in motion, Jn. 3:8; breath, 2 Thess. 2:8; the substance spirit, Jn. 3:6; a spirit, spiritual being, Jn. 4:24; Acts 23:8, 9; Heb. 1:14; a bodiless spirit, specter, Lk. 24:37; a foul spirit, δαιμόνιον, Mt. 8:16; Lk. 10:20; spirit, as a vital principle, Jn. 6:63; 1 Cor.…
Read the full entry →πνεῦμα πνεῦμα, ατος, τό, πνέω a blowing, πνεύματα ἀνέμων Hdt., Aesch.: alone, a wind, blast, Trag., etc.
metaph., θαλερωτέρῳ πν. with more genial breeze or influence, Aesch.; λύσσης πν. μάργῳ id. Aesch.; πν. ταὐτὸν οὔποτ᾽ ἐν ἀνδράσιν φίλοις βέβηκεν the wind is constantly changing even among friends, Soph.
like Lat. spiritus or anima, breathed air, breath, Aesch.; πν. βίου the breath of life, id. Aesch.; πν. ἀθροίζειν to collect breath, Eur.; πν. ἀφιέναι, ἀνιέναι, μεθιέναι to give up the ghost, id. Eur.; πνεύματος διαρροαί the wind-pipe, id. Eur.
that is breathed forth, odour, scent, id. Eur.
spirit, Lat. afflatus, Anth.: inspiration, NTest.
the spirit of man, id. NTest.
Noun-ASN — Noun · accusative · singular · neuteraccusative — the one it is done to — the object.
Agrees with anything else marked singular neuter.
N-ASN Part of Speech: Noun Case: Accusative Number: Singular Gender: Neuter
spir'-it (ruach; pneuma; Latin, spiritus):
1. Primary and Figurative Senses
(1) As Wind, Breath
(2) As Anger or Fury
(3) As Mental and Moral Qualities in Man
2. Shades of Meaning
(1) As Life-Principle
(2) As Surviving Death
(3) Spiritual Manifestations
3. Human and Divine Spirit
(1) The Human as Related with the Divine
(2) Operations of the Divine Spirit as Third Person of the Trinity
4. Old Testament Applications
5. Various Interpretations
1. Primary and Figurative Senses:
Spirit
(Heb. ruah; Gr. pneuma), properly wind or breath. In 2 Thess. 2:8 it means “breath,” and in Eccl. 8:8 the vital principle in man. It also denotes the rational, immortal soul by which man is distinguished (Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 5:5; 6:20; 7:34), and the soul in its separate state (Heb. 12:23), and hence also an apparition (Job 4:15; Luke 24:37, 39), an angel (Heb. 1:14), and a demon (Luke 4:36; 10:20). This…
A word employed in various senses in Scripture.
1. For THE HOLY, HOLINESS SPIRIT, the third person of the Holy Trinity, who inspired the prophets, animates good men, pours his unction into our hearts, imparts to us life and comfort; and in whose name we are baptized and blessed, as well as in that of the Father and the Son. When the adjective Holy is applied to the term Spirit, we should always understand it as here explained; but there are many places whether it must be taken in this sense, although the term Holy is omitted. See HOLY, HOLINESS SPIRIT.
2. BREATH, respiration; or the principle of animal life, common to men and animal: this God has given, and this he recalls when he takes away life, Ec 3:21. See SOUL.
385 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 9 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.
Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 379 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.
← what comes before
what comes after →
branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path
Every reference is on the Strong's page.
Counted over the 173 Old Testament verses where this Greek word stands: which Hebrew word keeps standing there too. A correspondence of verses rather than a word-by-word alignment, so read the percentage as strength of evidence, not as a claim about any single verse.
εἶθ’ ὕδατος ἀσώματον οὐσίαν καὶ πνεύματος καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν ἑβδόμου φωτός, ὃ πάλιν ἀσώματον ἦν καὶ νοητὸν ἡλίου παράδειγμα καὶ πάντων ὅσα φωσφόρα ἄστρα κατὰ τὸν οὐρανὸν ἔμελλε συνίστασθαι.
ταύτης δʼ ὑπʼ ὄψιν οὐκ ἐρχομένης, ἀλλὰ βαθεῖ μὲν κρυπτομένης σκότει, πνεύματος δʼ αὐτὴν ἄνωθεν ἐπιθέοντος, γενέσθαι φῶς ἐκέλευσεν ὁ θεός.
Μεγάλων μὲν ὄντων καὶ πλουσίων τῶν τοῦ θεοῦ δικαιωμάτων εἰς ὑμᾶς, ὑπέρ τι καὶ καθ̓ ὑπερβολὴν ὑπερευφραίνομαι ἐπὶ τοῖς μακαρίοις καὶ ἐνδόξοις ὑμῶν πνεύμασιν: οὕτως ἔμφυτον τῆς δωρεᾶς πνευματικῆς χάριν εἰλήφατε.
ἐν ὀνόματι τῆς ἁγίας καὶ ὁμοουσίου τριάδος πατρὸς καὶ υἱοῦ καὶ ἁγίου πνεύματος βασιλείας τοῦ θειοτάτου καὶ εὐσεβεστάτου ἡμῶν δεσπότου Φλαυίου Φωκᾶ τοῦ αἰωνίου Αὐγούστου Αὐτοκράτορος καὶ
r ἐν ὀνόματι τῆς ἁγίας τριάδος πατρὸς καὶ υἱοῦ καὶ ἁγίου πνεύματος καὶ τῆς δεσποίνης ἡμῶν τῆς θεοτόκου καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, βασιλείας τοῦ θειοτάτου καὶ
ἐν ὀνόματι τῆς ἁγίας καὶ ὁμοουσίου τριάδος πατρὸς καὶ υἱοῦ καὶ ἁγίου πνεύματος καὶ τῆς δεσποίνης
μή (mē) is a Greek negative particle used to express subjective negation, often in conditional or hypothetical contexts. It contrasts with οὐ (ou), which indicates absolute denial. μή can function as an adverb meaning 'not' or as a conjunction meaning 'lest.' It appears in various grammatical constructions, including prohibitions and deliberative questions, and is referenced in verses like Matthew 5:29 and John 3:18.
μή,
subjective negative particle,
used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic., μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין, אַיִן, אַל.]
As a neg. adv., not;
with ref. to thought or opinion: Jo 3:18, Tit 1:11, II Pe 1:9.
μή, Sept. for Ox, |X, PN, ἃ particle of negation, which differs from οὐ (which is always an adverb) in that ov denies the thing itself (orto speak technically, denies simply, absolutely, categorically, directly, objectively). but μή denies the thought of the thing, or the thing according to the judgment, opinion, will, purpose, preference, of some one (hence, as we say technically, indirectly, hypothetically, subjectively). This distinction holds also of the compounds οὐδείς, μηδείς, οὐκέτι, μηκέτι, ete. But pris either an ad verb of negation, not (Lat. non, ne); or aconjunction, that... not, lest, (Lat. ne); or an interrogative particle, (Lat. num) [i. e. (generally) implying aneg. ans.; in indir. quest. whether nol (suggesting apprehension) ]. Cf. Herm. ad Vig. § 267 p- 802 sqq-; Matthiae § 608; Bitm. Gram. § 148 (cf. Alex. Bttm. N. T. Gr. p. 344 (296) sqq.); Kiihner ii. §§ 512 sq. p.…
Read the full entry →μή Grenf II. 384 (mid. 1.8.6.) καλῶς οὖ]ν ποιήσις μὴ ἀμελήσ[α]ς α[. . ἀγο]ράσαι. .. , P Oxy I. 3815 (a.p. 49--50) (= Selections, p. 53) τοῦ δὲ Σύρου μὴ βουλομένου ἐνμεῖναι τοῖς κεκριμένοις, “45 Syrus does not wish to abide by what has been decided,” 2d. II. 2755 (A.D. 66) (= Selections, p. 58) ἔγραψα ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ μὴ ἰδότος γράμματα, “1 wrote for him seeing that he was unlettered,” BGU I. 22° (a.p. 114) (= Selections, p. 74) TappovOios . . . τὸ παρὸν μὴ ἔχουσα κύριον, ‘ Tarmuthis at present without a guardian,’ and P Grenf II. 779 (iii/iv A.D.) (= Sedections, p. 120) θαυμάζω πάνυ [ὅτι] ἀλόγως ἀπέστητε μὴ ἄραντες [τὸ σ]ῶμα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ ὑμῶν, “1 wonder exceedingly that you went off so unreasonably, without taking the body of your brother”; cf. P Tor 1. 1¥8-4 (νον 116) εἰ δὲ kal τις θείηι τὸ μὴ ὄν (cf. 1 Cor 1°8)—acc. and inf. follow, P Ryl II. 144°? (Α.Ὁ. 38) ἐπαγαγεῖν αἰτίας τοῦ μὴ ὄντος, ‘‘…
Read the full entry →μή (mē) — not.
μή,
Elean μά [ᾱ] [Refs 6th c.BC+]. (Cf. Sanskrit mā´, Armenian mi [from I.-[Refs 5th c.BC+] mē´], negative used in prohibitions):—not, the negative of the will and thought, as οὐ of fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. (A few examples of μηδέ and μηδείς have been included.)
__A in INDEPENDENT sentences, used in expressions of will or wish, command, entreaty, warning,
__A.1 with present imperative, 2 person, μή μ᾽ ἐρέθιζε [Refs 8th c.BC+]: rarely with aorist imperative, μὴ.. ἔνθεο τιμῇ [Refs 8th c.BC+]; in Attic dialect, μὴ ψεῦσον, ὦ Ζεῦ, τῆς.. ἐλπίδος [Refs 8th c.BC+]perfect imperative [Refs 8th c.BC+] person when perfect = present, μὴ κεκράγετε [Refs 5th c.BC+]
μή
me
a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an
absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an
interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an
affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, +
lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not,
nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in
substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372,
3373, 3375, 3378.
see GREEK for 3756
see GREEK for 3362
see GREEK for 3363
see GREEK for 3364
see GREEK for 3372
see GREEK for 3373
see GREEK for 3375
see GREEK for 3378
μή
Neg.prt.
not, lest
μή mē 1x
a negative particle, can function as a conj, not, for the particulars of its usage, especially as distinguished from that of οὐ, consult a grammar; as a conj., lest, that not, Mt. 5:29, 30; 18:10; 24:6; Mk. 13:36; μή, or μήτι, or μήποτε, when prefixed to an interrogative clause, it expresses an intimation either of the reality of the matters respecting which the question is asked, Mt. 12:23; or the contrary, Jn. 4:12
Particle-N — Particle · negativeparticle — a small word colouring the clause; it does not decline.
PRT-N PaRTicle, disjunctive particle Negative
1,085 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 23 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.
Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 1,060 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.
← what comes before
what comes after →
branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path
2 inflected forms — one of the commonest words in the New Testament. Full distribution →
Counted over the 1,321 Old Testament verses where this Greek word stands: which Hebrew word keeps standing there too. A correspondence of verses rather than a word-by-word alignment, so read the percentage as strength of evidence, not as a claim about any single verse.
σβέννυμι is a verb meaning to extinguish or quench, often used in relation to fire. It can also have metaphorical meanings, such as suppressing or stifling, particularly in spiritual contexts, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. The word is built from a primary verb and has a range of uses in classical literature, covering both literal and figurative applications.
σβέννυμι (ζβέννυμι, 1 Th. v. 19 Tdf. [ef. 3, σ, s]) and [in classics] σβεννύω ; fut. σβέσω ; 1 aor. éo8eca; Pass., pres. σβέννυμαι: fr. Hom. down; Sept. for 7323 and 37, to extinguish, quench ; a. prop.: τί, fire or things on fire, Mt. xii. 20; Eph. vi. 16; Heb. xi. 34; pass. (Sept. for 713) to be quenched, to go out: Mt. xxv. 8; Mk. ix. 44, 46, [both which vss. T WH om. Tr br.], 48. b. metaph. to quench i.e. to suppress, stifle: τὸ πνεῦμα, divine influence, 1 Th. v. 19 (ἀγάπην, Cant. viii. 7; τὰ πάθη, 4 Mace. xvi. 4; χύλον, Hom. Il. 9, 678; ὕβριν, Plat. lege. 8, 835 d.; τὸν θυμόν, ibid. 10, 888 a.).
σβέννυμι, ‘“extinguish,” ‘* put out,” of fire εἴς. : cf. P Leid Wvii 34 σεβέσθητι (1. σβέσθητι). For the metaph. use in 1 Thess 518 cf. Kazbel 2044 (i/B.C.) ἀμφοτέροις ἡμῖν ἔσβεσας ἠέλιον, and for the meaning ‘‘wash out,’’ ‘‘erase,” cf. the late P Mon I. 148 ἐσβέσθαι πᾶν σπέρμα δίκης, and 74. 1487 (both vi/A.D.). MGr σβήνω, “extinguish,” and intrans. ‘Sam extinguished.’’ See also s.v. ζβέννυμι.
σβέννυμι (sbennumi) — to extinguish.
σβέννῡμι,
[Refs 5th c.BC+]; σβεννύω, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: imperfect ἐσβέννυον [Refs 2nd c.AD+]future σβέσω App [Refs 5th c.BC+]; Epic dialect σβέσσω Oracle texts cited in [Refs 5th c.BC+]: aorist ἔσβεσα [Refs 8th c.BC+]; Epic dialect infinitive σβέσσαι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; Ionic dialect infinitive κατα-ς βῶσαι [Refs 3rd c.BC+]perfect and aorist 2, see below:—middle, future σβήσομαι (ἀπο-) [Refs 5th c.BC+]: aorist σβέσαντο [Refs 4th c.AD+]:—passive, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: future σβεσθήσομαι [Refs 2nd c.AD+]: aorist ἐσβέσθην [Refs 5th c.BC+]; Epic dialect συν-έσβετο [Refs 2nd c.AD+]: perfect ἔσβεσμαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—besides these, aorist 2 and perfect and pluperfect active are used intransitive, ἔσβην [Refs 8th c.BC+]; imperative σβῆτε (transitive) [Refs 5th c.BC+]; participle ἀπο-σβείς [Refs 5th c.BC+]perfect ἔσβηκα (ἀπ-) [Refs 5th…
Read the full entry →σβέννυμι
sbennumi
a prolonged form of an apparently primary verb; to extinguish
(literally or figuratively):--go out, quench.
σβέννυμι
v.
I extinguish, suppress
σβέννυμι sbennymi 6x
to extinguish, quench, Mt. 12:20; 25:8; Mk. 9:44, 46, 48; Eph. 6:16; Heb. 11:34; met. to quench, damp, hinder, thwart, 1 Thess. 5:19*
σβέννυμι to quench, put out, Lat. extinguere, Hdt., Pind.
generally, to quench, quell, check, σβ. χόλον, μένος Il.; ὕβριν Simon.; κύματα Ar., etc.
Pass. σβέννυμαι (with intr. tenses of Act., v. supr.), to be quenched, go out, Lat. extingui, of fire, Il.: metaph. of men, to become extinct, die, Anth.
generally, to be quelled or lulled, of wind, Od.
Verb-PAM-2P — Verb · present · active · imperative · second person · pluralpresent active imperative — an action in progress.
V-PAM-2P Part of Speech: Verb Tense: Present Voice: Active Mood: iMperative Person: second Number: Plural
kwench, kwensh: Where the word is used of fire or of thirst it has the usual meaning: "to allay," "to extinguish," "to suppress," "to cool." In the Old Testament it is frequently applied to the affections and passions (see 2Ki 22:17; So 8:7; Isa 42:3; Jer 4:4; 21:12). Quenching the coal or the light of Israel may mean slaying a dear one or a brilliant leader. In the New Testament it is also used figuratively, as in Eph 6:16 the shield of faith quenches the fiery darts of the evil one. In Mr 9:48, sbennumi, and its derivative are applied with reference to Gehenna…
8 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 6 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.
Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 6 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.
← what comes before
what comes after →
branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path
Counted over the 27 Old Testament verses where this Greek word stands: which Hebrew word keeps standing there too. A correspondence of verses rather than a word-by-word alignment, so read the percentage as strength of evidence, not as a claim about any single verse.
οὐ γὰρ δύεται καὶ σβέννυται, ἀλλ’ ἀεὶ πέφυκεν ἀνατέλλειν ὁ ὀρθὸς λόγος, καὶ ὥσπερ, οἶμαι, ἀνατείλας ἥλιος τὸν ζόφον τοῦ ἀέρος φωτὸς ἐνέπλησεν, οὕτως καὶ ἀρετὴ ἀνατείλασα ἐν ψυχῇ τὴν ἀχλὺν αὐτῆς ἐναυγάζει καὶ τὸν πολὺν σκότον σκεδάννυσι.
τῶν γὰρ υἱῶν αὐτοῦ τεσσάρων ὄντων, ὡς προεῖπον, δύο οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Νάβαδος καὶ Ἀβιοῦς κομίσαντες ἐπὶ τὸν βωμὸν οὐχ ὧν προεῖπε Μωυσῆς θυμάτων, ἀλλʼ οἷς ἐχρῶντο πρότερον, κατεκαύθησαν τοῦ πυρὸς ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς τὴν ὁρμὴν βαλόντος καὶ τὰ στέρνα καὶ τὰ…