Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words such as κλαυθμός (klauthmós) is essential for Biblical studies because they convey rich emotional and theological nuances. The word κλαυθμός, first found in Matthew 2:18, signifies a deep expression of grief, often connected to mourning and loss. This word’s significance goes beyond its lexical meaning; it embodies the human experience of suffering and lamentation, both in ancient Greek culture and in the New Testament context. By examining κλαυθμός, readers gain a deeper appreciation of the emotional landscape depicted in the Bible, enhancing their understanding of passages that deal with sorrow, lamentation, and divine compassion.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: κλαυθμός, transliterated as klauthmós [klowth-MOS].

Etymology: The word κλαυθμός is derived from the verb κλαίω (klaió), meaning “to weep” or “to lament.” The root word κλαίω indicates an intense expression of sorrow, and κλαυθμός carries this connotation into the noun form, signifying “weeping” or “lamentation.”

Part of Speech: Noun (masculine). In the Greek language, κλαυθμός is a masculine noun of the second declension, commonly used in both singular and plural forms to refer to instances or expressions of weeping.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. Weeping: The primary meaning of κλαυθμός is “weeping,” often indicating an audible and visible expression of deep sorrow or grief.
2. Lamentation: Beyond just weeping, κλαυθμός can also refer to a more formal lamentation, especially in contexts of mourning the dead or in times of great distress.
3. Crying or Wailing: It can also be understood as “crying” or “wailing,” especially in communal settings where public expressions of grief were common.

Exploring Similar Words

1. κλαίω (klaió) [klah-EE-oh]: This verb means “to weep” or “to cry,” and it is the root from which κλαυθμός is derived. While κλαίω focuses on the act of crying, κλαυθμός is the noun form that describes the result or state of weeping.
2. ὀδυρμός (odurmós) [oh-dur-MOS]: This word means “lamentation” or “wailing,” similar to κλαυθμός, but it often emphasizes the more dramatic and public aspects of mourning.
3. θρῆνος (thrēnos) [THRAY-nos]: Another term for “lamentation,” which sometimes carries a connotation of a mournful song or dirge. It is more poetic and often used in literary contexts compared to the more straightforward κλαυθμός.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender:
κλαυθμός is a masculine noun. It is used in various cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative) to reflect different grammatical roles, such as subject, possession, indirect object, and direct object, respectively.

Declension:
κλαυθμός follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns:

For more details on Greek declensions, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

In examining κλαυθμός, the Greek lexicons reveal its use primarily to depict deep emotional states of grief and lamentation, particularly in moments of loss or mourning. In the New Testament, the word appears in contexts describing great suffering, such as in Matthew 2:18, where it is used to quote Jeremiah’s prophecy about Rachel weeping for her children. In classical contexts, the word is used similarly to describe lamentations and deep emotional expressions in literature and tragedy. Theologically, κλαυθμός also appears in eschatological contexts to describe the sorrow of judgment or separation from God, adding depth to its interpretive range. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 2:18: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.” Here, κλαυθμός is used to convey the deep grief and inconsolable sorrow of a mother losing her children.
2. Matthew 13:42: “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing [κλαυθμός] and gnashing of teeth.” This verse uses κλαυθμός in an eschatological sense, describing the anguish of those facing divine judgment.

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word κλαυθμός offers a rich understanding of sorrow and mourning both in biblical texts and in broader Greek literature. Its appearances in the New Testament provide not only a depiction of human grief but also theological insights into divine judgment and the human response to loss. Lexical analysis shows that κλαυθμός is a versatile term capturing various depths of lamentation, ranging from personal grief to communal wailing.

Did You Know?

1. The word κλαυθμός is often paired with “gnashing of teeth” in the New Testament to describe the agony of final judgment.
2. In ancient Greek tragedies, κλαυθμός was a common word to depict scenes of intense emotional pain and loss.
3. The use of κλαυθμός in the Septuagint mirrors its New Testament usage, often in contexts involving national tragedy or personal loss.