οὐαί (ouai)
ouai
woe!
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 36 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word ouai is an exclamation of grief or denunciation, translated as "woe" or "alas." It serves as a direct cry of distress against impending judgment or misfortune. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in the Gospels and Revelation, often marking serious warnings from Jesus or prophetic declarations about future calamities.
Its usage varies grammatically to specify who is affected. It most commonly takes a dative case to indicate the person receiving the woe, as seen when Jesus pronounces it on the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida (Matthew 11:21). In Revelation, it shifts to address subjects directly in the vocative or accusative, such as the threefold cry against the earth’s inhabitants (Revelation 8:13) or the lament over fallen Babylon (Revelation 18:10).
The term originates from Hebrew interjections like hoi found in the Old Testament prophets. This connection gives it a heavy theological weight, linking New Testament warnings to the long tradition of biblical judgment. Translators consistently use "woe" to preserve this sense of urgent, divine sorrow and condemnation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word 'woe' in Scripture is not a casual remark or a mild complaint. It is a heavy cry of divine sorrow directed at spiritual blindness and injustice. When Jesus uses this term, He is highlighting the tragic gap between how people present themselves and what their hearts truly hold.
This warning invites us to examine our own lives with honesty. Are we focusing on external appearances while neglecting justice and mercy? The call behind 'woe' is an invitation to turn away from hypocrisy and toward genuine integrity. It reminds us that God sees the inner reality of our character.
Ultimately, this word points to the seriousness of our relationship with God. It challenges us to seek a faith that is rooted in truth rather than performance. By acknowledging these warnings, we can find hope in a grace that offers true cleansing and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 36 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Woe29×
- woe12×
- woes1×
- woe!1×
- woe [to him]1×
- Woe to you1×
- Woe to1×
- But woe1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οὐαὶ25×
- Οὐαὶ17×
- οὐαί2×
- Οὐαί2×
- οὐαί,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
This verse matters because it contrasts meticulous religious routines with the neglected virtues of justice and mercy, showing where true priority lies.
-
Luke 11:44
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.”
The metaphor of hidden graves illustrates how outward purity can mask inner corruption, warning against deceptive appearances.
-
Matthew 26:24
The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
This occurrence connects the word to the profound tragedy of betraying Jesus, emphasizing the severe consequences of rejecting divine love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word 'woe' mean in the New Testament?
Who receives the 'woe' in these verses?
Is 'woe' a curse or a warning?
Every Occurrence (36 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 12 verses
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done…
Matthew 18:7“Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person…
Matthew 23:13“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers.…
Matthew 23:14“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you…
Matthew 23:15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he…
Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of…
Matthew 23:23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier…
Matthew 23:25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within…
Matthew 23:27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but…
Matthew 23:29“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the…
Matthew 24:19But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days!
Matthew 26:24The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would…