συνοχή (sunochē)
sunochē
anguish
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun sunochē describes a state of being tightly held or constrained, deriving from a root meaning to hold together. In its literal sense, it can refer to a narrow place or straits where movement is restricted. The biblical writers use this concrete image metaphorically to depict intense inner pressure, translating the physical sensation of confinement into emotional distress.
This word appears only twice in the New Testament, yet carries significant weight. In Luke 21:25, it describes the anguish of peoples facing global turmoil, while in 2 Corinthians 2:4, Paul speaks of the "anguish" (sunochē) of his heart as he writes a painful letter to the Corinthian church. The term captures a feeling of being squeezed by circumstances or emotions, leaving little room for ease.
Translators typically render sunochē as "anguish," "distress," or "anxiety." This choice reflects the word’s focus on the pressure itself rather than the cause. Unlike words that might describe fear or sorrow, sunochē emphasizes the tightness and restriction of the soul under burden. It paints a picture of a heart pressed from all sides, unable to expand or breathe freely.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sunochē paints a vivid picture of being tightly squeezed by circumstances beyond our control. It describes a state where pressure comes from all sides, leaving little room to breathe or move freely. When life feels overwhelming, this term helps us name the specific weight we carry—a sense of confinement that tightens the heart and restricts our peace.
In Luke 21:25, it captures the global anxiety of nations facing turmoil, while in 2 Corinthians 2:4, Paul shares his personal anguish as he writes with many tears. These examples show that this feeling is not a sign of weak faith but a real human experience shared even by biblical leaders. Recognizing this pressure allows us to bring our honest struggles into God’s presence without hiding them.
When you feel constrained by worry or external events, remember that your heart does not have to hold everything alone. You can lay down the tightness of sunochē and trust in a love that offers space for rest. May you find comfort in knowing that God sees your pressure and invites you to lean on His steady care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- distress1×
- anguish1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνοχῆς1×
- συνοχὴ1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 2:4
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made to grieve, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.
Paul uses this word to describe the intense personal pressure he felt while writing a difficult letter, showing that spiritual leaders also experience deep emotional constriction.
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Luke 21:25
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
This occurrence applies the concept of tightness to global turmoil, illustrating how external chaos can create a collective sense of being trapped or overwhelmed.