διανυκτερεύω (dianuktereuō)
dianuktereuō
to spend the night
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb dianuktereuō describes the act of spending an entire night, often implying continuous action through the darkness. Its structure combines a prefix suggesting intensity or completion with a root related to "night," creating a vivid image of time passing in the dark hours.
Scripture uses this word only once, in Luke 6:12, where Jesus spends the entire night in prayer before choosing His twelve apostles. This specific usage highlights a moment of deep communion and decision-making that required undivided attention away from the distractions of daylight.
Translators typically render it simply as "spent the night," but the term carries a weight of endurance and focus. It suggests that the prayer was not brief or casual, but a sustained vigil that occupied the full duration of the night, marking it as a pivotal moment in the narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dianuktereuō simply means to spend the night, but its single use in Scripture paints a picture of deep, sustained focus. In Luke 6:12, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before choosing His twelve apostles. This was not a quick glance upward or a brief pause; it was a full vigil, showing that significant decisions require undivided attention and time with God.
For your own life, this reminds us that important matters deserve our best hours of quiet. You do not need to perform spiritual feats to be close to God, but setting aside dedicated time for prayer helps you listen more clearly. When the world is asleep and distractions fade, you can find peace in simply being present with Him.
This practice does not demand perfection or endless energy. It invites you to slow down and trust that God hears your voice even in the quiet dark. Whether you are facing a big choice or just need rest, spending time in prayer can bring clarity and comfort to your heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- spending the night1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διανυκτερεύων1×
Key Verses
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Luke 6:12
In these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.
This verse shows Jesus using the full night for prayer before a major decision, highlighting the importance of sustained communion with God.