διαπονέω
diaponéō
G1278 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be deeply troubled or deeply distressed, to be greatly agitated (inwardly). The verb expresses an intense sense of mental labor or emotional agitation, involving strong inward struggle or distress. It can refer to being sorely vexed, greatly disturbed, or emotionally exercised.
Semantic Range
to be greatly troubled, to be deeply distressed, to be sorely vexed, to be mentally or emotionally agitated; to labor intensely in mind
Root / Etymology
From διά (through, thoroughly) + derivative of πόνος (toil, labor, pain). Formed as a compound verb meaning 'to suffer deeply, to be in deep emotional or mental labor.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
διαπονέω is rare in classical Greek, with little attestation prior to the Hellenistic period. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts describing profound inner agitation or distress (e.g., Acts 4:2, 16:18), often due to emotional provocation or offense. The underlying sense is of strenuous inner effort, not mere worry or casual grief. In later Greek, usage remains limited and generally preserves the sense of acute inner disturbance. English translations often render it as 'disturbed,' 'grieved,' or 'annoyed,' but these may fail to capture the full intensity of emotional turmoil inherent in the term. The word stands apart from terms like λυπέομαι (to grieve, to be sorrowful) or ἀγανακτέω (to be indignant), as διαπονέω emphasizes mental or emotional travail rather than simple displeasure or annoyance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and a derivative of πόνος; to toil through, i.e. (passively) be worried:--be grieved.
Root Family
πον- (diaponéō) — to toil, to labor, to be in pain
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1278-01 |
διαπονηθεὶς | diaponetheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
being grieved | having been deeply distressed | having been deeply distressed | 1 |
G1278-02 |
διαπονούμενοι | diaponoumenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
being greatly disturbed | being inwardly distressed | being greatly distressed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1278-02 |
Acts 4:2 | διαπονούμενοι | diaponoumenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
being greatly disturbed | being inwardly distressed | being greatly distressed |
G1278-01 |
Acts 16:18 | διαπονηθεὶς | diaponetheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
being grieved | having been deeply distressed | having been deeply distressed |