δίψος

Pronunciation Guide: díp-sos (with the accent on the first syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1373: δίψος (dipsos) refers to the physical sensation of thirst or the condition of being thirsty. In biblical usage, it extends beyond mere physical thirst to include spiritual yearning or longing. As a noun, it describes both the painful sensation caused by lack of fluids and metaphorically represents deep spiritual desire, particularly for God and His righteousness.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (neuter)
• Derived from the verb διψάω (dipsaō, G1372) meaning “to thirst”
• Root connected to Indo-European *dheib- (“to lack, be deficient”)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching sections
• Often appears in contexts describing physical hardship or spiritual longing
• Used in both literal and metaphorical contexts

δίψος Morphology:

• δίψος (nominative singular) – thirst
• δίψους (genitive singular) – of thirst
• δίψει (dative singular) – with/in thirst
• δίψος (accusative singular) – thirst (as direct object)

Origin & History

The word δίψος has ancient roots in classical Greek, where it primarily denoted physical thirst. Homer uses related forms in the Iliad to describe warriors parched from battle. In Plato’s Republic, the concept extends beyond physical sensation to represent desire or craving more broadly, establishing an early metaphorical usage that would later influence biblical applications.

In the Septuagint (LXX), δίψος appears in passages like Deuteronomy 28:48 where it depicts severe physical suffering as divine punishment for disobedience. The Jewish historian Josephus employs the term in Antiquities of the Jews when describing the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings, highlighting the physical torment of thirst as a significant trial. This historical development reveals how the concept evolved from purely physical sensation to include spiritual dimensions of longing and divine testing.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Physical thirst – The bodily sensation resulting from dehydration
• Extreme dryness – A state of being parched or completely without moisture
• Intense longing – A deep yearning or craving, particularly for spiritual fulfillment
• Suffering from water deprivation – Experiencing discomfort or pain due to lack of hydration
• Metaphorical desire – A profound spiritual hunger for righteousness or God Himself

δίψος Translation Options:

• Thirst – The most direct equivalent, capturing both physical and potentially spiritual dimensions
• Parching – Emphasizes the severe, uncomfortable nature of the condition
• Longing – Highlights the metaphorical dimension when used in spiritual contexts
• Dehydration – A more clinical term that emphasizes the physical condition
• Yearning – Best used when the context clearly indicates a spiritual application

Biblical Usage

The term δίψος appears sparingly in the New Testament, most notably in Paul’s catalog of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:27, where he mentions enduring “hunger and thirst” (ἐν λιμῷ καὶ δίψει). This usage reveals how physical thirst represented a significant trial for early apostles and missionaries, whose journeys often took them through harsh environments with limited resources.

In the broader biblical narrative, thirst serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual longing. While the noun δίψος itself is rare, its verbal form διψάω appears more frequently, particularly in passages like John 4:13-14 and John 7:37, where the Messiah offers living water to quench spiritual thirst. The concept bridges physical and spiritual realms, with literal thirst often symbolizing deeper spiritual needs.

• “…in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst [δίψει], often without food, in cold and exposure.” 2 Corinthians 11:27
• “They shall not hunger or thirst [διψήσουσιν – verbal form]…” Revelation 7:16
• “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst [διψῶντες – verbal form] for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6
• “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst [διψήσει – verbal form] again.” John 4:13
• “If anyone is thirsty [διψᾷ – verbal form], let him come to Me and drink.” John 7:37

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near East, thirst was not merely uncomfortable—it was potentially deadly. The arid climate of the Holy Land made water sources precious and unreliable. During the dry season (April to October), rainfall was scarce, and travelers were wholly dependent on finding wells or springs along their journey. This geographical reality gives Paul’s mention of suffering δίψος a particularly weighty significance; it wasn’t merely discomfort but life-threatening deprivation he endured for the sake of the gospel.

The concept of thirst also carried profound cultural significance in Jewish purification rituals. Water was essential for ritual cleanliness, and the mikvah (ritual bath) was a central feature of Jewish religious life. This connection between water, purity, and spiritual readiness provides important context for understanding how early Jewish believers would have understood the Messiah’s metaphorical language about thirsting for righteousness and receiving living water. When Yeshua spoke of giving water that would permanently quench thirst, He was drawing on deeply ingrained cultural associations between water, spiritual purity, and divine provision that resonated powerfully with His audience.

Theological Significance

The concept of δίψος carries profound theological implications. Physical thirst serves as a powerful metaphor for the soul’s innate longing for God. Just as the body cannot survive without water, the biblical writers suggest that the human spirit cannot truly thrive without connection to יהוה (Yahweh). This parallel teaches us that spiritual thirst is not a weakness but a divinely designed indicator pointing us toward our need for God.

In the ministry of Yeshua, thirst imagery takes on redemptive significance. His declaration from the cross, “I thirst” (διψῶ) in John 19:28, reveals the full extent of His human suffering and identification with our physical limitations. Yet paradoxically, the One who experienced extreme thirst is the same One who offers living water that permanently satisfies spiritual thirst. This juxtaposition highlights the Messiah’s dual nature—fully human in His suffering, yet fully divine in His ability to quench the deepest thirsts of the human soul. The theological trajectory of thirst in Scripture moves from identifying our spiritual need to pointing us toward its divine solution in the person and work of Yeshua.

Personal Application

When we understand δίψος in its full biblical context, we recognize our spiritual thirst as a gift—a divine invitation rather than merely an uncomfortable lack. Just as physical thirst prompts us to seek water, spiritual thirst should motivate us to seek God. The question becomes: what are we using to quench our deepest thirsts? Many of us attempt to satisfy spiritual longing with material possessions, achievements, relationships, or other temporary sources that ultimately leave us still parched.

True satisfaction comes only through embracing Yeshua’s invitation to drink from the living water He provides. This involves developing spiritual disciplines that bring us into God’s presence—prayer, Scripture meditation, worship, and community. When we experience spiritual dryness, it may be God’s way of calling us back to the true source of satisfaction. Rather than resenting these seasons of thirst, we can view them as opportunities to deepen our dependence on Him and renew our commitment to seeking Him above all other sources of fulfillment.

Related Words

• πεινάω (peinaō, “to hunger”) – Closely paired with thirst in Scripture, this term describes physical hunger but also extends to spiritual hunger for righteousness. While δίψος relates to liquid needs, πεινάω addresses solid nourishment. See G3983
• δίψα (dipsa, “thirst”) – A variant form of δίψος with identical meaning but different grammatical usage in some contexts. See G1372
• πότος (potos, “drinking, carousing”) – Represents excessive drinking or feasting, offering a contrast to the deprivation of thirst and highlighting indulgence versus genuine need. See G4224
• ζάω (zaō, “to live”) – Connected conceptually to δίψος through Yeshua’s teaching about “living water” that provides true life, creating an important theological link between physical need and spiritual vitality. See G2198
• ἐπιποθέω (epipotheō, “to long for, desire earnestly”) – Describes intense yearning similar to the metaphorical use of δίψος but applies more broadly to various objects of desire beyond water or spiritual satisfaction. See G1971

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in ancient medical texts by Hippocrates and Galen, excessive δίψος (extreme thirst) was recognized as a primary symptom of diabetes? The full medical term “diabetes mellitus” has roots in Greek, with “diabetes” meaning “passing through” (referring to excessive urination) and “mellitus” meaning “honeyed” (referring to the sweetness of the urine). This medical understanding adds depth to the biblical use of thirst as a state of extreme need requiring intervention.
• Did you know that ancient desert travelers would sometimes carry small clay bottles called ampullae to store precious water for their journeys? These were often worn on cords around the neck, keeping water close to the heart—a physical arrangement that mirrors the spiritual principle in Psalm 119:11: “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Just as water preserved in vessels sustained physical life in the desert, God’s Word treasured in the heart sustains spiritual life.
• Did you know that the modern Greek word δίψα (dipsa), derived from the ancient δίψος, is still used today not only for physical thirst but in common expressions describing passionate desire? The phrase “διψάω για μάθηση” (dipsao gia mathisi) means “I thirst for knowledge,” maintaining the metaphorical extension we see in Scripture. This linguistic continuity across millennia demonstrates how deeply the concept of thirst as desire is embedded in human experience and expression.

Remember This

δίψος reminds us that our deepest human longings are divine signals pointing us toward the only true source of satisfaction—יהוה (Yahweh) Himself, who offers living water through His Son Yeshua the Messiah.