ὀλολύζω (ololuzō)
ololuzō
to wail
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb ololuzō describes a loud, piercing cry that transcends ordinary speech. It is an onomatopoeic word, meaning its sound mimics the noise it represents—a high-pitched wail or howl. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in James 5:1, where it is directed at wealthy landowners who have hoarded resources while exploiting their workers.
While often associated with grief or lamentation in other contexts, the sources note that ololuzō can also express intense joy. However, James uses it here to signal a dramatic reversal of fortune. The cry serves as a prophetic warning that divine judgment is imminent, turning what might have been a celebration of wealth into a moment of terror and regret.
This single occurrence highlights the word’s power to convey extreme emotional states. By choosing ololuzō, James emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of the coming reckoning. The verb captures not just sadness, but a visceral reaction to a reality that has shifted beyond control, leaving no room for denial or delay.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ololuzō describes a cry so loud and piercing it breaks through normal speech. In James 5:1, this intense sound is directed at those who hoard wealth while ignoring the needs of others. It is not a quiet sigh but a visceral reaction to sudden loss. The text warns that such actions invite a dramatic reversal where comfort turns into terror.
This imagery reminds us that our security should not rest in temporary possessions. When we trust in God rather than material gain, we find a stability that outlasts changing circumstances. The call to justice and compassion stands as a clear path for daily living. We are invited to examine how we use what we have been given.
May your heart remain open to the needs around you. Let this word encourage you to seek a deeper trust in divine provision. Peace comes from knowing that true value lies beyond what we can see or hold.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wailing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀλολύζοντες1×
Key Verses
-
James 5:1
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you.
The verb ololuzō here signals the sudden and terrifying reversal of fortune for those who exploited workers.