### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G1416 (δύνω, *dýnō*) originates from an obsolete primary root that conveyed the idea of "to sink" or "to go down." In its New Testament usage, its semantic range is highly specialized, referring exclusively to the astronomical phenomenon of a celestial body, specifically the sun, descending below the horizon. This core meaning implies not merely a physical movement but also the completion or conclusion of a diurnal cycle, marking the transition from day to night.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Despite its precise meaning, G1416 appears only twice in the New Testament, both instances occurring in the Synoptic Gospels and within identical narrative contexts, describing the setting of the sun:
* In [[Mark 1:32]], the text states, "And at evening, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils."
* Similarly, [[Luke 4:40]] records, "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them."
In both passages, the phrase "when the sun was setting" (ὅτε ἔδυσεν ὁ ἥλιος / δύνοντος δὲ τοῦ ἡλίου) functions as a critical temporal marker. For a Jewish audience, the setting of the sun signified the end of the Sabbath day (which commenced at sundown on Friday and concluded at sundown on Saturday). This transition allowed for activities prohibited on the Sabbath, such as carrying the sick, to commence. Therefore, the use of G1416 here underscores the meticulous observance of the Law by the people, who waited until the Sabbath had concluded to bring their sick to Jesus for healing. The word, in these contexts, serves as a precise chronological indicator within the unfolding narrative of Jesus' ministry.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of G1416 naturally encompasses words related to light, darkness, and the passage of time.
* The most direct correlative is the noun for "sun," ἥλιος (`{{G2246}}`), which is explicitly mentioned in conjunction with G1416 in both biblical occurrences.
* Its conceptual opposite would be verbs denoting "rising," such as ἀνατέλλω (`{{G393}}`), which describes the rising of the sun.
* Broader concepts include "day" (ἡμέρα, `{{G2250}}`) and "night" (νύξ, `{{G3571}}`), as G1416 precisely marks the boundary between them.
* The word also connects to the broader theological theme of divine order and the predictable cycles of creation, reflecting God's sustained governance over the cosmos and the temporal rhythm of life.
### Theological Significance
Although its occurrences are limited to describing a natural phenomenon, the theological significance of G1416 is found in its precise contextual application. The setting of the sun, as marked by G1416, signifies a divinely established rhythm of time and the conclusion of a specific period. In the biblical narratives, this natural marker often coincides with the end of the Sabbath, thereby permitting actions that were previously restricted by religious law. This highlights God's sovereignty not only over creation's cycles but also over the temporal framework within which human life and religious observance unfold. The "setting" of the sun, therefore, implicitly points to a divine order that governs both the physical world and the spiritual practices of God's people, demonstrating God's meticulous design and the human response to His established times.
### Summary
The Greek verb G1416 (δύνω, *dýnō*) carries the core meaning of "to sink" or "to go down," specifically employed in the New Testament to denote the setting of the sun. Appearing only in [[Mark 1:32]] and [[Luke 4:40]], it serves as a crucial temporal marker, indicating the end of the Sabbath day and the subsequent commencement of activities, particularly the bringing of the sick to Jesus for healing. This precise usage underscores the adherence to Jewish law and highlights the divine ordering of time. The word, though rare, thus points to God's sovereign control over natural cycles and the temporal context of human and redemptive history.
TRV