Brief Overview of στενοχωρία (Strong’s G4730: stenochōria)

Strong’s G4730: A feminine noun literally meaning “narrow space,” denoting extreme distress, anguish, or calamity. In New Testament usage, it describes both divine judgment on evil and the trials faced by believers, emphasizing severe constraint or affliction.

U- Unveiling the Word

στενοχωρία, as a compound word combining “narrow” and “space,” powerfully expresses the experience of being hemmed in by circumstances or divine judgment. In the New Testament, it appears both as a consequence of evil and as a trial endured by faithful believers. Early church fathers used this term to describe both spiritual oppression and martyrdom experiences. Today, it continues to express the reality of Christian suffering while pointing to God’s ultimate deliverance.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: στενοχωρία, stenochōria, sten-o-kho-REE-ah
• Detailed pronunciation: sten (as in stem) + o (as in go) + kho (as in cope) + ree (as in reed) + ah (as in father)
• Part of Speech: Noun (feminine)

Etymology:

• From στενός (stenos) – narrow
• And χώρα (chōra) – space, place
• -ία (-ia) suffix – forms abstract nouns

D – Defining Meanings

• Extreme distress
• Anguish
• Calamity
• Confined space
• Severe constraint

For compound words:
στενός (narrow) + χώρα (space) combines to express the state of being in a constrained situation

Translation Options:

• “Distress” – emphasizes emotional impact
• “Anguish” – captures intense suffering
• “Severe constraint” – maintains spatial metaphor

E – Exploring Similar Words

• θλῖψις (thlipsis) [THLIP-sis] – tribulation – See G2347
• ἀνάγκη (anankē) [an-ANG-kay] – necessity, distress – See G318
• συνοχή (synochē) [soon-okh-AY] – distress, anxiety – See G4928

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: First declension

Examples:

• Nominative singular: στενοχωρία (distress)
• Genitive singular: στενοχωρίας (of distress)
• Dative plural: στενοχωρίαις (in distresses)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in judgment contexts. Thayer’s notes both literal and figurative meanings. LSJ documents classical usage in siege situations. Vine’s highlights its spiritual applications. Strong’s connects it to pressing circumstances. LEH traces Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan show legal document usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Romans 2:9: “Tribulation and anguish [στενοχωρία], on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek.”

Additional References:
Romans 8:35, 2 Corinthians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 12:10

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

στενοχωρία reveals both divine judgment and redemptive suffering. It proclaims the good news that while the Messiah’s followers may face severe constraints, nothing can separate them from His love. This word reminds us that even in our most confined circumstances, God’s presence and purpose remain constant.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appeared in ancient military texts describing siege warfare
• Early Christian martyrs used it to describe prison conditions
• It was used in legal documents describing property disputes over confined spaces

Strong’s G4730: A feminine noun literally meaning “narrow space,” denoting extreme distress, anguish, or calamity. In New Testament usage, it describes both divine judgment on evil and the trials faced by believers, emphasizing severe constraint or affliction.

Part of speech: Noun (feminine)

Tags: distress, anguish, affliction, judgment, suffering, persecution, tribulation, constraints, divine-judgment, Christian-suffering, trials, martyrdom, spiritual-warfare, Pauline-letters, hardship​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​