διψάω

Pronunciation Guide: dip-SAH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1372: διψάω (dipsaō) describes the profound sensation of thirst, both in its literal physical sense of needing water and in its metaphorical spiritual dimension of yearning for God. In Scripture, this word powerfully expresses the soul’s deep longing for divine satisfaction that only the Creator can fulfill. Spiritual thirst represents one of humanity’s most fundamental needs—the need for restoration and connection with יהוה (Yahweh).

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (present active infinitive)
• From the root noun δίψα (dipsa), meaning “thirst”
• Indo-European origin
• Primary usage in narrative passages, teaching sections, and poetic literature
• Frequently employed in contexts of both physical need and spiritual desire
• Used metaphorically to express deep longing for spiritual fulfillment

διψάω Morphology:

• διψῶ (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I thirst
• διψᾷς (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you thirst
• διψᾷ (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it thirsts
• διψῶμεν (present active indicative, 1st person plural) – we thirst
• διψῆτε (present active subjunctive, 2nd person plural) – that you may thirst
• διψῶντες (present active participle, masculine nominative plural) – those who thirst
• διψῶσα (present active participle, feminine nominative singular) – she who thirsts
• δίψησον (aorist active imperative, 2nd person singular) – thirst! (command)
• διψήσω (future active indicative, 1st person singular) – I will thirst
• ἐδίψησα (aorist active indicative, 1st person singular) – I thirsted

Origin & History

The verb διψάω derives from the Indo-European root that produced the noun δίψα (dipsa), which referred to the physical sensation of thirst. In classical Greek literature, the term appears in works by Plato, who in “Republic” uses it to discuss basic human needs and desires. Aristotle employs the term in his “Nicomachean Ethics” when discussing natural appetites. The word maintained its concrete meaning of physical thirst while gradually developing metaphorical applications.

In the Septuagint, διψάω appears in significant passages including the Psalms, where it expresses the soul’s yearning for God. In Psalm 41:2 (LXX 42:2), the psalmist declares, “My soul thirsts (ἐδίψησεν) for God, for the living God.” Isaiah’s prophecies use this verb to describe both physical thirst in the wilderness and the spiritual thirst that God promises to satisfy (Isaiah 55:1). This dual meaning—physical and spiritual—carried forward into New Testament usage, where Yeshua (Jesus) particularly embraces the metaphorical dimension to describe genuine spiritual desire.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The physical sensation of needing water for bodily survival
• The metaphorical yearning of the soul for spiritual fulfillment
• The profound desire for God’s presence and righteousness
• A state of deprivation leading to intense craving
• A condition that requires external satisfaction from the appropriate source

διψάω Translation Options:

• To thirst – emphasizes the basic physical need, highlighting the urgency and necessity of satisfaction
• To crave/desire intensely – captures the emotional and psychological dimensions when used metaphorically
• To yearn for – best conveys the spiritual application when referring to longing for God
• To be parched/dry – emphasizes the state of deprivation that prompts the thirst
• To have strong spiritual hunger – useful when translating contexts that specifically address spiritual longing

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διψάω appears 16 times, with Yeshua (Jesus) employing it in some of Scripture’s most profound spiritual teachings. Its first appearance in Matthew 5:6 occurs in the Beatitudes, where Yeshua declares, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst (διψῶντες) for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Here, He elevates physical thirst to a spiritual metaphor expressing genuine desire for righteousness that God promises to fulfill.

The most dramatic usage appears when Yeshua hangs on the execution stake and declares, “I thirst” (διψῶ) in John 19:28. This statement fulfilled Scripture (Psalm 69:21) while simultaneously expressing both physical reality and deeper spiritual truth—the Messiah experiencing the ultimate thirst as He became the source of living water for humanity. Similarly profound is Yeshua’s declaration in John 7:37, “If anyone thirsts (διψᾷ), let him come to Me and drink,” revealing Himself as the source of spiritual satisfaction.

• “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst (διψῶντες) for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6
• “Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst (διψήσει) again.’” John 4:13
• “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst (διψήσῃ); but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14
• “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty (διψᾷ), let him come to Me and drink.’” John 7:37
• “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, ‘I am thirsty (διψῶ).’” John 19:28
• “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst (διψήσουσιν) anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat.” Revelation 7:16
• “I will give to the one who thirsts (διψῶντι) from the spring of the water of life without cost.” Revelation 21:6

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near East, thirst represented one of life’s most urgent and universal experiences. The geography of Israel—with its arid climate, wilderness regions, and dependence on seasonal rainfall—made water a precious commodity and thirst a constant concern. Water sources determined settlement patterns, travel routes, and even military strategies. Within this context, the metaphorical use of διψάω carried profound resonance for listeners who understood the desperate nature of physical thirst in their daily reality.

Jewish religious practice incorporated water imagery in significant ways, particularly during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). On each day of this festival, priests drew water from the Pool of Siloam and carried it to the Temple in a golden pitcher, where it was poured out alongside wine on the altar as a prayer for rain and blessing. It was against this backdrop that Yeshua stood on the last day of the feast and declared Himself the source of living water for those who thirst (John 7:37-38). His audience would have immediately recognized the profound theological statement in His invitation to the spiritually thirsty—He was positioning Himself as the fulfillment of prophetic promises like those in Isaiah 55:1 where יהוה (Yahweh) invites the thirsty to come and drink.

Theological Significance

The concept of διψάω reveals essential truths about both human nature and God’s character. Spiritually, it acknowledges that humans are created with an inherent thirst for God that cannot be satisfied by any other means. Just as physical thirst indicates a genuine need that requires specific satisfaction (water), spiritual thirst points to humanity’s fundamental need for connection with the Creator. This understanding aligns with Augustine’s famous observation that “our hearts are restless until they find rest in You, O Lord.” The presence of spiritual thirst is itself evidence of divine design—we thirst for God because we were made for relationship with Him.

More profoundly, διψάω illuminates God’s character as the ultimate Satisfier of human need. Throughout Scripture, יהוה (Yahweh) consistently presents Himself as the source of living water who invites the thirsty to come and drink freely. This invitation reveals divine compassion and generosity—God not only recognizes our thirst but eagerly provides its satisfaction. In Yeshua’s dramatic declaration, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37), we see the Messiah assuming this divine role as the one who satisfies spiritual thirst, a claim reinforced by His offer of “living water” to the Samaritan woman (John 4:10-14). These passages underscore the trinitarian reality that God the Father, through the Son and by the Spirit (the living water), provides complete satisfaction for human spiritual need.

Personal Application

Understanding διψάω challenges us to examine what we truly thirst for. Many of us attempt to satisfy our spiritual thirst with temporal substitutes—success, relationships, possessions, or experiences—only to find the thirst remains. Recognizing our thirst as fundamentally spiritual reorients our pursuit toward its proper object: intimate relationship with God. The Beatitude in Matthew 5:6 assures us that those who genuinely thirst for righteousness will be satisfied—not by their own efforts, but by God’s generous provision.

This word also invites us to cultivate holy thirst rather than settling for spiritual complacency. In a world of abundance and distraction, we often numb our spiritual thirst rather than acknowledging it. Yet Scripture presents spiritual thirst not as a problem to be eliminated but as a gift to be embraced—the internal compass that directs us toward God. When we allow ourselves to feel the discomfort of spiritual thirst, we position ourselves to appreciate the refreshment of living water that only Yeshua provides. Today, ask yourself: What am I truly thirsting for? And have I come to the true source of satisfaction?

Related Words

• πεινάω (peinaō, to hunger) – pronunciation: pay-NAH-oh – Often paired with διψάω in Scripture, this word describes physical hunger and metaphorical yearning for spiritual nourishment. While διψάω focuses on liquid refreshment, πεινάω addresses solid sustenance, together forming a complete picture of human need. See G3983
• ποτίζω (potizō, to give drink) – pronunciation: poh-TID-zoh – The causative counterpart to διψάω, meaning “to cause someone to drink” or “to water.” This word highlights God’s active role in satisfying spiritual thirst rather than merely expecting the thirsty to find water themselves. See G4222
• δίψος (dipsos, thirst) – pronunciation: DIP-sos – The noun form from which διψάω derives. While the verb emphasizes the action or experience of thirsting, the noun identifies the condition itself as a distinct state or quality. See G1373
• ἐπιποθέω (epipotheō, to long for) – pronunciation: eh-pee-poh-THEH-oh – A more general term for deep longing or yearning that, unlike διψάω, can apply to a wider range of desires beyond physical needs. This term often expresses earnest spiritual desire without the specific water metaphor. See G1971
• ζητέω (zēteō, to seek) – pronunciation: zay-TEH-oh – Reflects the active pursuit that often follows from διψάω. When one experiences thirst (διψάω), one naturally begins seeking (ζητέω) satisfaction. In spiritual contexts, these words often work together to describe the soul’s journey toward God. See G2212

Did you Know?

• The medical condition “polydipsia” (excessive thirst) derives directly from Greek roots related to διψάω. The prefix “poly” meaning “many” or “much” combined with the root for thirst creates a term for abnormal or extreme thirst. This modern medical terminology preserves the ancient Greek understanding of thirst as a fundamental bodily signal.
• During Yeshua’s time, Mediterranean ships often carried large clay jars called amphorae to store drinking water for long voyages. Sailors would develop intense thirst (διψάω) if water supplies ran low or became contaminated during extended journeys. This reality made Yeshua’s promise of water that permanently satisfies thirst particularly powerful to listeners familiar with maritime travel and water scarcity.
• Ancient Jewish wedding customs included the ceremonial offering of water to guests as they arrived, symbolizing hospitality and care. When Yeshua used διψάω in His teaching, Jewish listeners would have connected spiritual thirst with this wedding imagery—reinforcing the Messiah’s portrayal of Himself as the bridegroom welcoming His people. This connection appears explicitly in Revelation, where the divine invitation “Let the one who is thirsty come” (Revelation 22:17) occurs in the context of the “marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Remember This

διψάω reminds us that our deepest thirst—whether we recognize it or not—can only be satisfied by the living water that flows from relationship with the Messiah, who became thirsty on the cross so that we might drink deeply from the abundance of God’s presence forever.