ἐκνήφω

From the study of 1 Corinthians 15:34

Range of meaning

Literally to become sober after being drunk, to sleep off wine. By extension, to come to one's senses or recover clear thinking after confusion. The related verb νήφω ('be sober, clear-headed') is common in the New Testament. ἐκνήφω, the compound with ek- ('out of'), appears only here in the NT.

Against the English

The KJV and WEB say 'Awake', which hides the drinking picture and suggests waking from sleep. The ESV ('from your drunken stupor') and BSB ('Sober up') keep it. The NIV ('Come back to your senses') keeps the idea but drops the wine.

How it drifted

Older English made 'awake' a stock word for spiritual alertness, so the picture of a hangover blurred into general 'spiritual awakening' language.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX) it is used of Noah waking from his wine (Gen 9:24), of Nabal after his feast (1 Sam 25:37), and in Joel 1:5: 'Sober up (ἐκνήψατε), you drunkards, and weep.' Paul's command is word for word the same as Joel's. Greek authors use it of recovering from drunkenness and, by metaphor, from folly.

From the study of Sirach 31:2

Range of meaning

To sober up after drunkenness. By extension, to come to one's senses, or to wake abruptly out of a stupor.

Against the English

The KJV's 'breaketh sleep' and the WEB's 'sleep will be broken' capture the result. They lose the picture of being jolted awake as if out of a drunken heaviness.

Used elsewhere in the period

Genesis 9:24 (Noah 'awoke from his wine'). 1 Samuel 25:37 (Nabal sobering up). Joel 1:5 ('wake up, you drunkards'). 1 Corinthians 15:34 ('sober up properly').