ὀδύνη (odunē)
odunē
anguish
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun odunē denotes a sharp, consuming pain that can affect both the body and the mind. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, carrying a weight of deep distress rather than simple physical discomfort. The term captures a sense of anguish that is intense enough to be described as sorrowful or grief-stricken.
This word often translates Hebrew terms like yagon in the Septuagint, linking New Testament usage to Old Testament expressions of heavy-heartedness. In Romans 9:2, Paul uses it to describe his own inner turmoil and grief over his kinsmen’s unbelief. Similarly, 1 Timothy 6:10 refers to the "pains" or anguish caused by the love of money, highlighting how destructive desires can inflict a psychological torment comparable to physical suffering.
Its root relates to feeling or sensing pain, emphasizing the visceral nature of the experience. Translators typically render it as "anguish," "pain," or "sorrow," depending on whether the context leans toward emotional grief or mental distress. The word serves as a reminder that spiritual and moral failures can cause real, acute suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word odunē describes a sharp, consuming pain that touches both body and mind. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, carrying a weight of deep distress rather than simple discomfort. It captures anguish intense enough to be described as sorrowful or grief-stricken. This term often links New Testament usage to Old Testament expressions of heavy-heartedness, reminding us that spiritual realities can cause real, acute suffering.
Paul uses odunē in Romans 9:2 to describe his own inner turmoil and grief over his kinsmen’s unbelief. He speaks of great sorrow and unceasing pain in his heart, showing that even the apostle experienced deep emotional distress for others. This word validates our own feelings of grief, showing that such anguish is a recognized part of the human experience before God.
Similarly, 1 Timothy 6:10 refers to the pains or anguish caused by the love of money. It highlights how destructive desires can inflict psychological torment comparable to physical suffering. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, piercing themselves through with many sorrows. This serves as a sobering reminder that our choices and attachments can wound us deeply.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with sorrows1×
- sorrow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀδύνη1×
- ὀδύναις1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 9:2
that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.
Paul uses odunē to describe his own inner turmoil and grief over his kinsmen’s unbelief, showing that even the apostle experienced deep emotional distress for others.