### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ekpnéō (`{{G1606}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ek (`{{G1537}}`), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb pnéō (`{{G4154}}`), meaning "to breathe" or "to blow." Therefore, its literal and foundational meaning is "to breathe out" or "to exhale." In ancient Greek usage, particularly in medical and philosophical contexts, it signified the final exhalation of life, thus becoming an idiom for "to expire" or "to die." The base definition provided, "to give up the ghost," captures this idiomatic sense precisely, emphasizing the departure of the life-giving breath or spirit from the body at the moment of death. The term intrinsically links the cessation of life with the cessation of breathing, a universal physiological marker of death.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, ekpnéō (`{{G1606}}`) is used exclusively in reference to the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It appears three times, twice in Mark's Gospel and once in Luke's Gospel:
* **[[Mark 15:37]]**: "And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last." (καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀφεὶς φωνὴν μεγάλην ἐξέπνευσεν.) Here, the verb exepneusen (aorist active indicative of ekpnéō) directly follows Jesus' "loud cry," emphasizing the immediacy and finality of His death. It portrays His death not as a passive succumbing, but as an active, decisive act.
* **[[Mark 15:39]]**: "And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that in this way He breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'" (ὁ δὲ κεντυρίων ὁ παρεστηκὼς ἐξ ἐναντίας αὐτοῦ, ἰδὼν ὅτι οὕτως ἐξέπνευσεν, εἶπεν, Ἀληθῶς οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος υἱὸς ἦν θεοῦ.) The centurion's observation of *how* Jesus breathed His last – with power and a cry, rather than a mere fading away – contributes to his profound confession of Jesus' divine Sonship.
* **[[Luke 23:46]]**: "Then Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!' And having said this, He breathed His last." (καὶ φωνήσας φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν, Πάτερ, εἰς χεῖράς σου παρατίθεμαι τὸ πνεῦμά μου. τοῦτο δὲ εἰπὼν ἐξέπνευσεν.) Luke explicitly connects Jesus' final breath with the surrender of His pneuma (spirit) to the Father. This verse clarifies that "breathed His last" is synonymous with the giving up of His spirit, highlighting the voluntary nature of His death.
In all three instances, ekpnéō describes the singular, momentous act of Christ's death, underscoring its profound significance. The active voice of the verb further suggests Jesus' agency in His death, not as one overwhelmed by circumstances, but as one who voluntarily lays down His life.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of ekpnéō is intimately related to several other biblical terms and theological ideas:
* **pneuma (`{{G4151}}`):** This Greek word means "spirit," "wind," or "breath." As seen in [[Luke 23:46]], Jesus "commits His pneuma" before He ekpnéō. This connection underscores that the "breath" which leaves the body at death is understood as the vital spirit or life force.
* **apothnēskō (`{{G599}}`):** The more general and common Greek verb for "to die." While apothnēskō simply denotes the act of dying, ekpnéō specifies the *manner* of death as the final exhalation, often with an emphasis on the spirit's departure.
* **thanatos (`{{G2288}}`):** The noun for "death." ekpnéō describes the physical manifestation of thanatos.
* **Old Testament parallels:** The Hebrew equivalent for "to give up the ghost" or "to breathe one's last" is often gāwaʿ (`{{H1478}}`), as seen in passages like [[Genesis 25:8]] (Abraham gāwaʿ and "breathed his last"). This demonstrates a consistent biblical understanding across testaments that death involves the departure of the breath/spirit.
* **Voluntary Sacrifice:** The usage of ekpnéō in the active voice for Jesus' death aligns with the theological concept of His voluntary sacrifice, as articulated in [[John 10:18]]: "No one takes it [My life] from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord."
### Theological Significance
The specific choice of ekpnéō to describe Jesus' death carries profound theological weight:
1. **Christ's Agency in Death:** Unlike a passive expiration, ekpnéō in the active voice emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and conscious act of surrendering His life. He was not merely a victim of crucifixion; He actively "breathed out" His life, indicating His control even in death. This highlights His divine sovereignty and willing obedience to the Father's plan of redemption.
2. **The Fulfillment of Scripture:** Jesus' death, described by ekpnéō, is the climactic moment of His earthly ministry, fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering servant and the Messiah.
3. **The Nature of His Sacrifice:** The "giving up of the spirit" (as clarified in Luke) underscores the totality of His sacrifice – not just His body, but His very life-essence. This voluntary surrender of His pneuma is central to the atoning work on the cross, making salvation possible for humanity.
4. **Witness to His Divinity:** The centurion's confession in [[Mark 15:39]] directly links Jesus' manner of death (how He ekpnéō) to the recognition of His divine Sonship. The powerful, deliberate nature of His final breath, rather than a slow, agonizing demise, was a sign to those present.
### Summary
ekpnéō (`{{G1606}}`) literally means "to breathe out" and idiomatically signifies "to expire" or "to give up the ghost." Its exclusive use in the New Testament to describe the death of Jesus Christ is highly significant. In [[Mark 15:37]], [[Mark 15:39]], and [[Luke 23:46]], this verb emphasizes the active and voluntary nature of Jesus' death, portraying Him not as a passive victim, but as one who deliberately surrenders His life and spirit (pneuma `{{G4151}}`) in obedience to the Father. This precise term underscores the profound theological implications of Christ's sacrifice, affirming His divine agency even in His final moments and serving as a powerful testament to the unique character of His redemptive work on the cross.
TRV