στεναγμός (stenagmos)
stenagmos
groan
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun stenagmos refers to a deep, involuntary sound of distress or longing, translated as "groan" or "sigh." It captures a physical expression of inner turmoil, whether from pain, grief, or intense desire. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, yet it carries significant emotional weight in both instances.
In Acts 7:34, God hears the groans of the Israelites in Egypt, linking the sound to a cry for deliverance that prompts divine action. Romans 8:26 describes the Spirit’s role when believers are too overwhelmed to pray; here, the Spirit intercedes with "groanings too deep for words," suggesting a communication that transcends language itself. This usage highlights how stenagmos represents a profound need that exceeds human articulation.
The word derives from the verb stenezo, meaning to groan or sigh heavily. Its limited occurrence in Scripture underscores its power as a descriptor of raw, unfiltered human experience before God. Translators consistently render it as "groaning" or "sighing," preserving the sense of urgent, heartfelt expression that defines the term.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word stenagmos describes a deep, involuntary sound of distress or longing. It is the physical expression of inner turmoil that words often fail to capture. When we face pain, grief, or intense desire, this groan rises from the depths of our being before we can form a coherent sentence.
In Acts 7:34, God hears the groans of the Israelites in Egypt and responds with deliverance. This shows that your deepest cries are not lost on Him; He notices them and acts. Similarly, Romans 8:26 reminds us that the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. You do not need perfect prayers to be heard.
When you feel overwhelmed, remember that these raw expressions are a form of communication with God. He understands your silence and your sighs just as well as your spoken requests. Rest in the knowledge that He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with groanings1×
- groans1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- στεναγμοῦ1×
- στεναγμοῖς1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 7:34
I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’
This verse shows God hearing the groans of His people as a direct prompt for divine deliverance.
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Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
Here the Spirit uses these unutterable groans to intercede when human weakness prevents clear prayer.