ἔξυπνος

roused out of sleep

Definition

The adjective ἔξυπνος describes a state of being 'roused out of sleep' or 'awakened.' It specifically denotes the moment of transition from a sleeping state to a fully alert and conscious one. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 16:27, it describes the jailer in Philippi who awakens to find the prison doors open. The word implies a sudden, complete, and often consequential awakening, not a gradual or drowsy one.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 16:27. It describes the Philippian jailer who, after an earthquake shook the prison foundations, was 'awakened out of sleep' and saw the doors open. The context is dramatic and pivotal, as his awakening leads directly to his conversion. The usage highlights a sudden, external event (the earthquake) causing a complete and alert state that precipitates a major life decision.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐξ (ex), meaning 'out of,' and the noun ὕπνος (hypnos, G5258), meaning 'sleep.' It is a compound adjective literally meaning 'out of sleep.' The root 'hypnos' is the source of English words like 'hypnosis.' The formation is straightforward, directly indicating the state resulting from the action of emerging from sleep.

Semantic Range

While not a central theological term, its use in Acts 16:27 is highly significant narratively. The jailer's sudden, complete awakening (ἔξυπνος) mirrors his spiritual awakening. His physical rousing from sleep by a divine act (the earthquake) parallels his being spiritually roused to faith in Christ. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by connecting the literal event to its profound spiritual consequence, showing how God uses dramatic circumstances to get someone's full attention for salvation.

In the ancient world, a sudden awakening in the middle of the night was often associated with alarm, divine messages, or urgent events. For a jailer, being roused to find prison doors open meant a catastrophic professional failure punishable by death (Acts 16:27), which explains his immediate despair. The cultural weight of his responsibility makes his awakened state one of instant, mortal dread, which God transforms into an opportunity for grace.

διαγρηγορέω (diagrēgoreō, G1235) — to be fully awake, to keep awake; implies sustained wakefulness. ἐγείρω (egeirō, G1453) — to arouse, raise up; a much more common verb for waking someone or raising from the dead.

Word Details

Scripture References