δύνω

Pronunciation Guide: DOO-no (where the ‘u’ is pronounced like the ‘oo’ in ‘moon’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1416: δύνω (dýnō) fundamentally means “to go down, to sink, to set” especially referring to the setting of heavenly bodies like the sun. In Biblical usage, it describes the natural phenomenon of sunset which marked significant temporal boundaries in Jewish daily life. The word carries connotations of completing a cycle, entering into a new phase, or transitioning from light to darkness.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Verb
• Root: Derived from the primitive root du- meaning “to sink” or “to enter into”
• Language origin: Classical Greek
• Primary usage: Found in narrative sections, particularly in temporal markers
• Related to δύσις (dýsis, “the west”) and δυσμή (dysmḗ, “setting”)
• Literary context: Typically used in temporal phrases indicating time of day

δύνω Morphology:

• δύνω (present active indicative) – I am setting/sinking
• δύνει (3rd person singular present) – he/she/it sets/sinks
• δύνοντος (present participle genitive) – of setting/sinking
• ἔδυ (aorist indicative) – set/sank
• δεδυκώς (perfect participle) – having set/sunk

Origin & History

The word δύνω has ancient origins in Greek language, dating back to Homeric literature where it appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In Homer’s “Iliad,” the verb is used to describe the setting sun marking the end of battle days, establishing its connection to temporal boundaries early in Greek literature. The term evolved from the Indo-European root deu- which conveyed the idea of entering or sinking into something.

In the Septuagint (LXX), δύνω appears in passages like Genesis 15:17 describing the setting of the sun during Abram’s covenant experience with God, where temporal and spiritual transitions coincide. The Jewish historian Josephus employed the term frequently in “Antiquities of the Jews” when describing the Jewish day beginning at sunset, highlighting its cultural importance in marking the rhythms of Jewish religious observance. This historical usage reinforces the word’s connection to Jewish time-keeping practices that formed the backdrop for New Testament temporal references.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The natural setting of celestial bodies, particularly the sun
• The transition from day to night marking the Jewish day boundary
• The completion of a cycle or phase
• Metaphorically, to sink down or descend into a lower position
• By extension, the ending of a particular time period

δύνω Translation Options:

• “To set” – Most common translation, specifically regarding celestial bodies, emphasizing the natural motion of descent below the horizon
• “To sink” – Highlighting the downward movement aspect, useful when metaphorical applications are intended
• “To go down” – Broader application that captures the general concept of descent
• “To enter” – Reflects the ancient concept of the sun entering into the realm of darkness or the underworld
• “To complete” – In temporal contexts, emphasizing the finishing of a daily cycle

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δύνω appears most prominently in temporal phrases marking the transition points of day, particularly in the Synoptic Gospels. Its first appearance in Mark 1:32 establishes a pattern where many healing miracles occur at sunset, after the Sabbath restrictions have ended, revealing how Jesus honored Jewish customs while meeting human needs. The timing indicated by δύνω often carries theological significance beyond mere chronological information.

The Septuagint employs δύνω in contexts that establish divine patterns and covenantal moments. In Genesis 28:11, Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel occurs as “the sun had set,” suggesting that divine revelation often comes in transitional periods. This pattern of God moving at sunset moments creates a rich theological motif that carries forward into New Testament narrative. The word helps establish a rhythm of divine activity that often operates according to both natural and spiritual cycles.

• “That evening, at sunset [δύνω], they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.” Mark 1:32
• “When the sun was setting [δύνω], all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him.” Luke 4:40
• “Do not let the sun go down [δύνω] on your anger.” Ephesians 4:26
• “When the sun had set [δύνω], Abraham fell into a deep sleep.” Genesis 15:12 LXX
• “As the sun was setting [δύνω], a deep sleep fell upon Abram.” Genesis 15:17 LXX

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the setting of the sun marked not just the end of a day but the beginning of a new one, as the Jewish day began at sunset rather than midnight or dawn. This practice originated from the creation account in Genesis where each day is described as “evening and morning” (Genesis 1:5). When Mark records Jesus healing “at sunset” (δύνω), he is indicating a precise cultural moment when the Sabbath restrictions had lifted and people were free to travel and carry burdens again, explaining the sudden rush of people bringing their sick for healing.

The use of δύνω in ancient texts was often associated with the motif of “threshold crossing” – moments of transition that held spiritual significance. In several ancient cultures surrounding Israel, including Egyptian and Mesopotamian religions, the setting sun represented the deity entering the underworld, a concept foreign to Jewish monotheism but which influenced the metaphorical language of transition. For observant Jews in the first century, sunset (δύνω) triggered specific ritual actions including the lighting of lamps, the conclusion of certain work activities, and shifts in ritual purity considerations – all of which form the unseen backdrop to many New Testament sunset scenes.

Theological Significance

The divine orchestration of sunset (δύνω) moments in Scripture reveals יהוה’s sovereignty over time itself. From creation where God established the lights to “separate day from night” (Genesis 1:14), to the Passover beginning at twilight, to the crucifixion where darkness fell at midday disrupting the natural order, God demonstrates His authority over temporal boundaries. These sunset moments often serve as divine appointments where יהוה meets His people in transformative encounters.

The Messiah Jesus frequently utilized these δύνω moments for ministry, revealing His divine wisdom in operating within cultural frameworks while transcending their limitations. When Mark 1:32 notes that people brought their sick at sunset, it reveals Jesus respecting Sabbath observance while demonstrating that His healing power was unrestricted by temporal boundaries. The metaphorical application in Ephesians 4:26 – “do not let the sun go down (δύνω) on your anger” – elevates this natural phenomenon to a spiritual discipline, suggesting that God’s people should align their spiritual rhythms with natural ones, seeking reconciliation within the divine time cycles יהוה established.

Personal Application

When we understand the significance of δύνω (sunset) moments in Scripture, we can begin to see our own daily transitions as opportunities for divine encounter. Each sunset offers us a natural reminder to pause, reflect on the completed day, release its burdens, and prepare our hearts for what comes next. Just as ancient Israelites began their new day at sunset, we too can practice ending each day by surrendering incomplete matters to God and embracing the renewal that comes with transition.

Consider establishing your own “δύνω practice” – a brief spiritual rhythm at sunset. This might include releasing anger as Paul instructs in Ephesians 4:26, expressing gratitude for the day’s blessings, or setting intentions for the evening ahead. By honoring these natural transitions as the biblical authors did, we align ourselves with divine rhythms that can bring greater peace and purpose to our daily lives.

Related Words

• δύσις (dýsis) – the act of setting, the west – refers specifically to the direction where the sun sets or the actual process of setting. While δύνω is the action, δύσις is the phenomenon or direction. See G1424
• καταδύω (katadýō) – to sink down completely, to plunge beneath – adds intensity to the basic meaning of δύνω, suggesting a complete immersion or descent, often used metaphorically for overwhelming situations. See G2670
• ἐπιδύω (epidýō) – to set upon – specifically used in Ephesians 4:26 regarding not letting the sun set upon one’s anger, emphasizing the temporal boundary. See G1931
• ἀνατέλλω (anatéllō) – to rise up, to spring up (opposite of δύνω) – represents the complementary action of rising, particularly of the sun or stars, completing the cycle that δύνω begins. See G393
• βυθίζω (bythízō) – to sink, to cause to sink – shares the concept of downward movement but specifically relates to sinking in water rather than the celestial setting indicated by δύνω. See G1036

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the Jewish practice of beginning days at sunset (δύνω) rather than midnight creates a profound spiritual rhythm where rest precedes work? Unlike our modern calendar where we work first and then rest, the biblical pattern establishes rest and spiritual renewal as the foundation for productivity, teaching that we operate from a place of divine provision rather than striving to earn it.
• Did you know that in biblical times, the precise moment of δύνω (sunset) was determined when three medium-sized stars became visible in the sky? This method of marking the transition between days required people to literally “look up” to determine time, creating a regular practice of sky-gazing that served as a natural reminder of God’s vastness and the order He established in creation.
• Did you know that modern Hebrew still preserves the connection between sunset and entering when referring to immigrants to Israel? The Hebrew word “olim” (those who ascend) is used for those immigrating to Israel, while “yordim” (those who descend) refers to those leaving—conceptually related to the ancient understanding of δύνω as not just setting but entering into another realm.

Remember This

δύνω marks not merely the end of day but God’s appointed threshold between what was and what will be—a divine punctuation in the sacred text of time where יהוה often chooses to write His most transformative encounters with humanity.