Bible Dictionary
AWAKE
Awake ordinarily means to rise from sleep, but Scripture also uses it figuratively for moral and spiritual renewal. It can describe awakening from spiritual death, resurrection from the grave, or renewed zeal for God.
Definition
To awake ordinarily means to rise from natural sleep. Scripture also uses the word figuratively for renewed mental, moral, or spiritual vigor, resurrection, and the stirring of affection or response.
Biblical Usage
The Bible speaks of awakening from spiritual death, awakening to moral strength, and awaking from the grave in resurrection. It also uses the word poetically for music, wind, battle, affection, and God’s response to prayer.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-wak' yaqats, ("to waken"; `ur, "to rouse up" from sleep; egeiro, "to arouse from sleep"): The ordinary terms for awaking from natural slumber: as of Jacob at Bethel (Ge 28:16); of Solomon at Gibeon (1Ki 3:15); of Jesus in the storm-tossed boat (Lu 8:24).</p><p>Used figure with striking effect of awaking from mental, moral and spiritual sleep: as when Deborah calls upon herself to awake to the fervor and eloquence of poetry (Jud 5:12); of Zion's awaking to moral vigor and beauty (Isa 52:1); of waking from spiritual death (Eph 5:14); from the grave in resurrection (Da 12:2). Poetically used of the rising north wind (So 4:16); of music (Ps 108:2); of the sword in battle (Zec 13:7); of a lover's affection (So 2:7); of God Himself responding to prayer (Ps 59:4). Also used of moral awaking, as from drunkenness: eknepho, "to become sober" (compare Joe 1:5).</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>