Word Study for G1372 (διψάω) | Strong's Concordance

dipsáō /dip-sah'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a variation of δίψος

Meaningto thirst for (literally or figuratively)

KJV usage(be, be a-)thirst(-y).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dipsáō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word dipsáō, represented by G1372, means to thirst for (literally or figuratively). It appears 18 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible. The term expresses both a basic physical need and a profound spiritual longing.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its literal sense, G1372 is used to describe a physical state of need. On the cross, Jesus states, "I thirst" John 19:28, fulfilling a scriptural prophecy. This physical need is also central to the call for compassion, where believers are instructed to give drink to the thirsty Matthew 25:35. Figuratively, the term is elevated to describe a deep spiritual craving. Jesus declares that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed Matthew 5:6 and promises that anyone who believes in him will never thirst again John 6:35.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the context of thirst and its satisfaction:

G3983 peináō (to famish; figuratively, to crave): This term for hunger is frequently paired with G1372 to describe a state of complete need, both physical and spiritual Matthew 5:6.
G4095 pínō (to imbibe): The direct action to satisfy thirst. Jesus invites anyone who thirsts to come to Him and drink John 7:37.
G4222 potízō (to furnish drink, irrigate): This describes the act of providing a drink, a key component of Christian charity toward one's enemy Romans 12:20.
G5204 hýdōr (water): The substance that quenches thirst. It is used both for physical water John 4:13 and as a metaphor for the "water of life" that Jesus provides Revelation 22:17.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1372 is significant, illustrating a journey from human lack to divine fulfillment.

A Metaphor for Spiritual Need: Thirst is used to represent a deep inner longing that earthly things cannot satisfy. The desire for physical water becomes a picture of the soul's desire for God John 4:15.
Christ as the Source of Fulfillment: Jesus positions himself as the sole solution to this profound spiritual thirst. He offers "living water" that becomes a "well of water springing up into everlasting life" John 4:14, ensuring believers will never thirst again John 6:35.
An Expression of Christian Duty: Caring for the physically thirsty is a tangible expression of faith. It is presented as a direct service to Christ and a basis for judgment (Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:42).
Eschatological Hope: The ultimate promise for the redeemed is a state of perfect satisfaction where they will neither hunger nor thirst anymore, for God will give them drink from the "fountain of the water of life" (Revelation 7:16, Revelation 21:6).

Summary

In summary, G1372 is more than a word for a physical sensation. It functions as a powerful biblical metaphor for the deepest human and spiritual cravings. It defines the state of need, points to Christ as the ultimate satisfaction, outlines the believer's compassionate duty, and anchors the future hope of complete fulfillment in God's presence.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 16 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 2×
Present Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 2×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Dative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Subjunctive 1st Singular 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 16 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John (6 verses); never once in the other 22.

Matthew

John

Romans

1 Corinthians

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.