κραιπάλη (kraipalē)
kraipalē
dissipation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kraipalē refers to the physical aftermath of excessive drinking: a heavy headache, dizziness, or nausea. It describes the specific state of "hangover" that follows drunkenness, capturing both the bodily sickness and the resulting disorientation. The term appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 21:34.
Jesus uses this vivid image to warn against being weighed down by worldly cares. He contrasts spiritual alertness with kraipalē, suggesting that the physical fog of overindulgence can dull a person’s senses and cloud their judgment. The word highlights how physical excess creates a barrier to spiritual vigilance, making it harder to perceive God's timing.
Its root connects to feeling giddy or unsteady, emphasizing the loss of balance—both physical and moral. By citing this specific condition, the text underscores that self-control is not just a virtue but a necessity for clear sight. The warning remains concrete: letting physical desires dominate leads to a state where one cannot see clearly.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kraipalē describes the heavy fog of a hangover—the dizziness, nausea, and mental cloudiness that follow excessive drinking. In Luke 21:34, Jesus uses this specific physical state as a metaphor for spiritual unpreparedness. He warns us not to let our hearts be weighed down by carousing or the anxieties of daily life.
This imagery reminds us that self-control is essential for clear sight. When we are consumed by immediate pleasures or overwhelming worries, our ability to perceive God’s timing becomes dull. We may find ourselves unsteady in faith, unable to respond with the alertness that Christ calls us to maintain.
Let this word encourage you to seek balance. By guarding your heart against excess and worry, you preserve the clarity needed to wait patiently for His return. May you walk in steady faith, ready to meet Him with a clear mind and a calm spirit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dissipation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κραιπάλῃ1×
Key Verses
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Luke 21:34
“So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.
This verse uses kraipalē to illustrate how physical excess and worldly anxiety can cloud spiritual judgment and hinder readiness for Christ's return.