Brief Overview of στεναγμός (Strong’s G4726: stenagmos)

Strong’s G4726: A masculine noun meaning “groaning” or “sighing,” often expressing deep emotional or spiritual anguish. In New Testament usage, it appears in contexts of both human suffering and divine response, particularly in relation to prayer and the Holy Spirit’s intercession.

U- Unveiling the Word

στεναγμός represents deep, often wordless expressions of anguish or yearning. In the New Testament, it first appears in Stephen’s speech quoting God’s response to Israel’s groaning in Egypt, and later describes the Holy Spirit’s intercessory groaning on behalf of believers. Early church fathers saw in this word both the depth of human suffering and the intimacy of divine compassion. Today, it continues to express how genuine prayer often transcends words, and how God responds to our deepest distresses.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: στεναγμός, stenagmos, sten-ag-MOS
• Detailed pronunciation: sten (as in stem) + ag (as in tag) + mos (as in moss)
• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine)

Etymology:

• From στενάζω (stenazō) – to groan
• -μος (-mos) suffix – forms action nouns
• Indicates result or process of groaning

D – Defining Meanings

• Deep groaning
• Sighing from anguish
• Wordless prayer
• Expression of suffering
• Intercessory groaning

For compound words:
Not applicable as this is a simple noun

Translation Options:

• “Groaning” – emphasizes deep emotion
• “Sighing” – suggests quieter expression
• “Wordless prayer” – captures spiritual aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• στεναγμή (stenagmē) [sten-ag-MAY] – groaning, more poetic form – See G4727
• στενάζω (stenazō) [sten-AD-zo] – to groan (verb) – See G4727
• ὀδυρμός (odyrmos) [od-oor-MOS] – lamentation – See G3602

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

Examples:

• Nominative singular: στεναγμός (groaning)
• Genitive plural: στεναγμῶν (of groanings)
• Dative singular: στεναγμῷ (with/in groaning)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its expression of deep distress. Thayer’s notes its connection to prayer. LSJ documents usage in expressing suffering. Vine’s highlights its spiritual significance. Strong’s connects it to compressed feeling. LEH traces Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan show its emotional intensity.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Acts 7:34: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning [στεναγμός] and have come down to deliver them.”

Additional References:
Romans 8:26

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

στεναγμός reveals both the depth of human suffering and the intimacy of divine response. It proclaims the good news that the Messiah hears our deepest groans, and that His Spirit intercedes for us when words fail. This word reminds us that God understands and responds to our most profound expressions of pain and longing.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears frequently in ancient medical texts describing pain
• Early Christian prayers often included references to holy “groaning”
• Ancient Greek drama used it to express the deepest human emotions

Strong’s G4726: A masculine noun meaning “groaning” or “sighing,” often expressing deep emotional or spiritual anguish. In New Testament usage, it appears in contexts of both human suffering and divine response, particularly in relation to prayer and the Holy Spirit’s intercession.

Part of speech: Noun (masculine)

Tags: groaning, prayer, intercession, Holy-Spirit, suffering, anguish, wordless-prayer, divine-response, emotional-expression, spiritual-communication, Gods-compassion, human-suffering, prayer-language, spiritual-groaning, divine-comfort​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​