G1145
δακρύω
to shed tears
Transliteration
dakrýōPronunciation
(dak-roo'-o)Everything you need to know.
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to shed tears
δακρύω(dakrýō)
Strong’s Definition
to shed tears
from G1144 (δάκρυ);
“Jesus wept.”
No verses found containing this word study ID.
Pronunciation Guide: dak-roo'-o (where the 'oo' is pronounced as in 'food')
Basic Definition
Strong's G1145: δακρύω (dakruō) is a Greek verb meaning "to weep, shed tears." This powerful expression of emotion denotes the physical act of tears flowing from the eyes, often as a response to deep emotional pain, sympathy, or compassion. In the New Testament, it is notably used of Jesus Himself, revealing the Messiah's genuine human emotions and divine compassion toward those who suffer.
Etymology and Morphology
δακρύω Morphology:
Origin & History
The verb δακρύω derives from the Indo-European root *dakru-, which gave rise to various related words across language families. In classical Greek literature, the term appears in the works of Homer, where it often describes warriors weeping in moments of great loss or emotional intensity. In the Iliad, Homer uses the term to describe Achilles weeping over the death of Patroclus, demonstrating that even the mightiest heroes experienced profound grief.
In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, related forms of δάκρυ appear frequently, especially in the Psalms and prophetic literature to express deep sorrow and repentance. For example, in Psalm 6:6 (LXX 6:7), David writes of his bed being flooded with tears (δάκρυσιν). The Church Fathers, particularly John Chrysostom in his homilies, emphasized Jesus' weeping at Lazarus' tomb as evidence of His true humanity and compassion, noting that His tears demonstrated the depth of His love for humanity.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
δακρύω Translation Options:
Biblical Usage
The verb δακρύω appears only once in the entire New Testament, making it a rare and significant term. Its singular occurrence in John 11:35, "Jesus wept" (ἐδάκρυσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς), is notably the shortest verse in many English Bible translations. This profound moment occurs at the tomb of Lazarus, where Jesus is moved by the grief of Mary, Martha, and the mourners, as well as by His own love for His friend Lazarus.
While the specific verb δακρύω appears only once, related forms of the noun δάκρυ/δάκρυον (tear) occur several times throughout the New Testament, highlighting the importance of tears in expressing genuine emotion in biblical narrative:
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Cultural Insights
In ancient Jewish culture, weeping was a socially acceptable and expected expression of grief. Professional mourners were even hired for funerals to lead in lamentation. However, Jesus' weeping at Lazarus' tomb was different from ritualistic mourning—it was a genuine expression of His compassion and love. This distinction would have been noticed by the Jewish observers present, who remarked, "See how He loved him!" (John 11:36).
The Jewish tradition recognized tears as spiritually significant. The Talmud teaches that "the gates of tears are never locked," suggesting that sincere tears in prayer have special access to God. This concept is reflected in Psalm 56:8, where David writes that God keeps track of his sorrows and collects his tears in a bottle. Jesus' tears at Lazarus' tomb therefore carried powerful cultural resonance, connecting His expression of grief with the Jewish understanding of tears as a holy language of the heart that God particularly attends to.
Theological Significance
Jesus' weeping (δακρύω) at Lazarus' tomb provides one of the most profound theological insights into the incarnation. This singular verb usage reveals that the Messiah, though fully divine, experienced genuine human emotions. His tears demonstrate that God doesn't stand distant from human suffering but enters into it fully. This is the essence of the incarnation—God taking on flesh not merely in appearance but in the fullness of human experience, including its sorrows.
The juxtaposition of Jesus' weeping with His subsequent miracle of raising Lazarus creates a powerful theological picture. He weeps even though He knows He will perform a resurrection miracle moments later. This reveals an important truth: God's omnipotence doesn't negate His compassion. Even when God is about to turn mourning into dancing, He first joins us in our grief. The Messiah doesn't rush past human suffering to get to redemption; He fully acknowledges and participates in the pain before transforming it. This gives tremendous comfort to believers experiencing grief—our tears are not a sign of spiritual weakness but can be holy expressions that the Messiah Himself modeled.
Personal Application
When we understand that Jesus wept (δακρύω) despite knowing He would soon raise Lazarus, we learn something profound about walking with God through suffering. Our tears are not evidence of faithlessness but can be expressions of holy empathy. Jesus' example gives us permission to grieve losses honestly while still trusting in God's power to redeem our circumstances. We need not suppress emotions to appear spiritually strong; rather, like Jesus, we can weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) while holding fast to hope.
Moreover, Jesus' tears remind us that when we suffer, we do not follow a God who is unfamiliar with pain. The Messiah who wept at Lazarus' tomb is the same One who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. In our moments of deepest grief, we can take comfort knowing that our tears are understood by a Savior who has also wept, whose compassion is not theoretical but experiential. This truth invites us to bring our authentic emotions—even the painful ones—to Him, knowing He receives them with understanding.
Related Words
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Remember This
Jesus' tears (δακρύω) at Lazarus' tomb reveal the perfect harmony of divine power and human compassion—a God mighty enough to raise the dead yet tender enough to weep with those He loves.