ὀδυνάω
odynáō
G3600 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause pain or distress, to suffer mental or emotional anguish. The verb primarily denotes being in intense physical pain or strong mental distress, and by extension, to be troubled or tormented deeply in mind or spirit. In some contexts, it can mean to inflict pain upon someone, but more often refers to being overwhelmed by suffering, grief, or severe anxiety.
Semantic Range
to suffer physical pain, to experience deep mental anguish, to feel grief, to be tormented emotionally, to inflict distress
Root / Etymology
From ὀδύνη (pain, grief, distress). The verb is a denominative formation from the noun ὀδύνη, with the -άω verbal ending, indicating the action of suffering pain or causing distress.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ὀδυνάω is rarely attested. The noun ὀδύνη refers to acute bodily pain or profound grief. In Koine Greek, particularly in the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Luke 2:48; 16:24-25), ὀδυνάω commonly refers to deep distress, either mental (anguish, anxiety, sorrow) or physical (torment). Typically, it is used in passive forms and middle voice, describing the experience of intense suffering rather than causing it to others. English translations often use "to grieve," "to be in anguish," or "to be tormented," which may not fully convey the overlap of physical and mental pain inherent in the Greek usage. In LXX, it translates various Hebrew terms of physical pain and emotional affliction. In New Testament contexts, it can describe both literal torture (physical torment) and metaphorical or emotional suffering. Cognate nouns and verbs (e.g., λυπέω, βασανίζω) may overlap in meaning but ὀδυνάω generally carries a stronger or more acute sense of agony.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὀδύνη; to grieve:--sorrow, torment.
Root Family
ὀδυνάω (odynaō) — to suffer pain, to grieve, to be in anguish
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3600-03 |
ὀδυνώμενοι | odunomenoi | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
being grieved | being in anguish | being in anguish | 2 |
G3600-02 |
ὀδυνῶμαι | odunomai | V PRS PASS IND 1P SG |
I am tormented | I was in anguish | I am in anguish | 1 |
G3600-01 |
ὀδυνᾶσαι | odunasai | V PRS PASS IND 2P SG |
are tormented | you were being deeply distressed | you are tormented | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3600-03 |
Luke 2:48 | ὀδυνώμενοι | odunomenoi | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
sorrowing | being in anguish | being in anguish |
G3600-02 |
Luke 16:24 | ὀδυνῶμαι | odunomai | V PRS PASS IND 1P SG |
I am tormented | I was in anguish | I am in anguish |
G3600-01 |
Luke 16:25 | ὀδυνᾶσαι | odunasai | V PRS PASS IND 2P SG |
are tormented | you were being deeply distressed | you are tormented |
G3600-03 |
Acts 20:38 | ὀδυνώμενοι | odunomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
being grieved | being in anguish | being in anguish |