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G4727 στενάζω (stenázō)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study
Verb
‹ G4726 Greek Dictionary G4728 ›

Quick Definition

στενάζω v. I groan

Strong's Definition

to make (intransitively, be) in straits, i.e. (by implication) to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly

Derivation: from G4728 (στενός);

KJV Usage: with grief, groan, grudge, sigh

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

verb | ἀναστενάζω · στεναγμός · στενός · στενοχωρέομαι · στενοχωρία · συστενάζω

25.143 · Attitudes and Emotions · Laugh, Cry, Groan

to groan, to sigh, groan, sigh to groan or sigh as the result of deep concern or stress To groan or to sigh may be the result of quite different circumstances, and in a number of languages a clear distinction must be made in any term for groaning or sighing, depending upon the reason or basis for such an expression of emotion. In MRK 7:34 the sigh or groan would seem to be an expression of sympathy for the deaf-mute, but in MRK 7:34 the groans would be caused by severe misery and oppression.

MRK 7:34 · ROM 8:23 · 2CO 5:2 · 2CO 5:4 · HEB 13:17

33.384 · Communication · Complain

to complain strongly (a figurative extension of meaning of στενάζω[a] ‘to groan, to sigh,’ 25.143) to complain in an intensive and excessive manner It may even be possible to retain something of the figurative meaning of στενάζω in JAS 5:9 by translating ‘do not complain with moaning’ or ‘do not moan and complain against.’

JAS 5:9

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

στενάζω; 1 aor. ἐστέναξα; (στένω, akin is Germ. stihnen [ef. sten-torian; Vaniéek p. 1141; Fick Pt. i. 249]); to sigh, to groan: 2 Co. v. 2, 4, [ef. W. 353 (331)]; Heb. xiii. 17; ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, within ourselves, i. 6. in our souls, inwardly, Ro. viii. 23; to pray sighing, Mk. vii. 34; κατά twos, Jas. v. 9 [here R. V. murmur]. (Sept.; Trage., Dem., Plut., al.) [Comp.: dva-, cv(v)- στενάζω. Syn. cf. κλαίω, fin.]

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

στενάζω stenazō 6x

to groan, sigh, Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:2, 4; Heb. 13:17; to sigh inwardly, Mk. 7:34; to give vent to querulous or censorious feelings, Jas. 5:9*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

στενάζω

[in LXX for אנח ni., אנק, etc. ;]

to groan ("the word denotes feeling which is internal and unexpressed," Mayor, Ja., 162): Mk 7:34, II Co 5:2, 4, He 13:17, Ja 5:9 (EV, murmur); ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, Ro 8:23 (cf. ἀνα-, συ(ν)-στενάζω).†

SYN.: v.s. κλαίω

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

στενάζω, ‘Soroan”; Mk 784, Jas 55 (‘‘the word denotes feeling which is internal and unexpressed,” Mayor ad 4). Cf. Preitsighe 213415 (time of the Antonines) ‘Hpal80s θανούσης, ἔπιτα στενάξας συριγμῷ ἀνταπόδος. OTEVOS. For the literal sense ‘‘ narrow,” cf. P Lond 1164 (e)!! (A.D. 212) (= III. p. 160) ῥύμη στένή : a ῥύμη δημοσία has been mentioned just before. See also Aristeas 118 διὰ τὸ στενὰς εἶναι τὰς παρόϑους, ‘because the passes were narrow.” The metaph. use, as in Mt 713, Lk 1324, may be illustrated from an amnesty decree of the Emperor Caracalla of July 11th, 212, where to avoid a too ‘‘ narrow ’’ interpretation of a previous decree that all may return to their own homes (els τὰς πατρίδας τὰς ἰδίας), it is emphasized that in reality all restrictions as to place of dwelling are abrogated, P Giss I. 40%. ΤῊ ἵνα μή τις στενότερον παρερμηνεύσῃ τὴν χάριτά μου ἐκ τῶν ῥημάτων το[ῦ] προτέρου διατάγματος κτλ. In the introduction the editor contrasts with στενότερον παρερμηνεύσῃ the φιλανθρωπότερ[ ο]ν ἑρμηνεύω of an Epistle of Hadrian, BGU I. 140!%f.. A similar use of the adv. occurs in P Vat A! (B.c. 168) (= UPZ i. p. 303) οὐ yap πάντως Set στενῶς ἐπανάγοντά σε προσμένειν ἕως Tov πορίσαι τι kal κατενεγκεῖν, where Wilcken renders στενῶς ἐπανάγοντά oe, ‘wenn es dir schmal geht ’’: see his note for other renderings. For the subst. στένωσις see the Christian P Gen I. 145 (Byz.) διὰ τὴν πολλήν pov otévwor[y, and cf. P Flor III. 29674 (vi/A.D.), P Oxy XVI. 18691! (vi/vii A.D.) τοῦ βράδους τὸ αἴτιον τῇ στενώσει TOY πραγμάτων ἀνεθέμ[ην, “1 attributed the cause of the delay to the difficulty of the affairs.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

στενάζω (stenazō) — to groan. στενάζω, [Refs 4th c.BC+]: future -άξω[Refs 5th c.BC+]: aorist ἐστέναξα [Refs 4th c.BC+]:—passive, perfect ἐστέναγμαι [Refs 3rd c.BC+] —properly _frequentative verb_ of στένω, sigh deeply: generally, sigh, groan, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οἴκοις in the house, [Refs]; frequently with a neuter adjective, οἰκτρόν, δεινὸν σ., [Refs]; μέγα σ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]; τί ἐστέναξας τοῦτ; why utteredst thou this moan? [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πηλίκον τί ποτ᾽ ἂν στενάξεια; [Refs 4th c.BC+]

2. transitive, bemoan, bewail, πότμον [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τινα [Refs 5th c.BC+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

στενάζω [in LXX for אָנַח ni., אָנַק, etc. ;] to groan ("the word denotes feeling which is internal and unexpressed," Mayor, Ja., 162): Mrk.7:34, 2Co.5:2 5:4, Heb.13:17, Jas.5:9 (EV, murmur); ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, Rom.8:23 (cf. ἀνα-, συ(ν)-στενάζω).† SYN.: see: κλαίω (AS)

Bible Occurrences (6)

5:9

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Groan (complain, sigh) (4727) stenazo

Groan (4727) (stenazo from stenos = narrow or contracted as when one is squeezed or pressed by circumstances) literally describes an internal squeezing and denotes a feeling of sorrow which is internal. Stenazo means to express grief by inarticulate or semi-articulate sounds. A groan is an audible expression of anguish due to physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. Stenazo refers to the utterances of a person who is caught in a dreadful situation and has no immediate prospect of deliverance. The term is used in its noun form (stenagmos - used in Romans 8:26-note of Spirit's prayers expressed to God inarticulately) by Luke to describe the desperate utterances of the Israelites during their oppressive bondage in Egypt 'I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT, AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO DELIVER THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.' (Acts 7:34 cp Ex 2:24, 25 ) In the present context these continual (stenazo = present tense) groanings bewail a condition that is painful, unsatisfying, and sorrowful and are a cry for deliverance from a torturing experience. The pain we feel now because we still live in bodies that harbor the flesh (the old sin nature) which causes us to we still stumble and grieve the Holy Spirit. In this passage, the deep distress is related primarily to our remaining sinfulness. This is especially painful to those who know that they have been shown great mercy and have manifold grace to live victoriously for His glory. Below are the other 5 uses of stenazo in the NT. Paul explains this groaning to the Corinthians writing that... 1 we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan (stenazo), longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan (stenazo), being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. (1Corinthians 5:1-5) Comment: As long as we are in the “tent” of our human body, which harbors the old flesh nature, we will not fully escape sin’s corruption this side of eternity. This truth causes Christians to suffer times of deep inner distress over the debilitating sinfulness that still clings to them. When they brought the deaf to Jesus He put His fingers into His ears and after spiting touched His tongue... and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh (stenazo), He said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!" (Mark 7:34) The writer of Hebrews charged his readers to... Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief (stenazo), for this would be unprofitable for you. (See note Hebrews 13:17) In James stenazo takes on a slightly different sense, James commanding... Do not complain (stenazo), brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. (James 5:9 ) Stenazo - 19x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX), mainly in the Major Prophets -Job 9:27; 18:20; 24:12; 30:25; 31:38; Isa. 19:8; 21:2; 24:7; 30:15; 46:8; 59:10; Jer. 31:19; Lam. 1:8, 21; Ezek. 21:6f; 26:15f; Nah. 3:7. Below is an example in which Jerusalem is personified as a woman groaning because of her sinfulness... Lamentations 1:8 Jerusalem sinned greatly, Therefore she has become an unclean thing. All who honored her despise her Because they have seen her nakedness; Even she herself groans (Hebrew = 'anach = groan in pain or grief; Lxx = stenazo) and turns away. WAITING EAGERLY FOR...ADOPTION AS SONS: huiothesian apekdechomenoi (PMPMPN): (Ro 8:19,25; Luke 20:36; Php 3:20,21; 2Ti 4:8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1Jn 3:2) The reason we can groan and yet do so with an eager expectation is because we have experienced the firstfruits of the Spirit a foretaste of the incomparable glory to come. The Spirit is the firstfruits of heaven. And since we have the Spirit now, we know a little of what heaven will be like and are assured of our final destiny. God's gift of the Spirit to the church is an event in the present which foreshadows the future union of God and His people in eternity.

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