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ὀδυρμός

odyrmós

G3602 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Intense vocal expression of grief or sorrow, especially in the form of audible lamentation; refers to wailing or mourning expressed out loud, often in response to bereavement or disaster. The primary sense is active, emotional outpouring of distress.

Semantic Range

vocal lamentation, audible mourning, wailing due to grief or disaster, public or communal outcry of sorrow

Root / Etymology

From a derivative of the base of δύνω ('to sink, set, go down'), likely via *ὀδύρομαι ('to lament, wail'), conveying the sense of being overwhelmed with sorrow. Related nouns and verbs appear in earlier Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὀδυρμός appears primarily in literary and Hellenistic sources to signify loud, public expressions of mourning, particularly in funeral settings or at scenes of collective calamity. In the Septuagint, it often renders Hebrew words for lamentation (e.g., אֵבֶל or קִינָה) and denotes group or individual crying out in grief. In the New Testament, the word is rare but retains its connotation of outward, vocal mourning. Unlike more general terms such as πένθος (sorrow, mourning) or θρῆνος (lament, dirge), ὀδυρμός emphasizes the expressive, often communal and audible, aspects of grief. English Bible translations typically render it as 'mourning' or 'lamentation,' but may not fully convey the sense of open, emotional wailing intrinsic to the Greek term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of the base of δύνω; moaning, i.e. lamentation:--mourning.

Root Family

ὀδυρμός (odyrmos) — audible lament, wailing, vocal mourning, outcry of grief

Root ὀδυσ- to mourn audibly, to lament, to wail

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3602-02 ὀδυρμὸς odurmos N NOM M SG mourning audible lamentation lamentation 1
G3602-01 ὀδυρμόν odurmon N ACC M SG mourning audible lamentation audible lamentation 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3602-02 Matthew 2:18 ὀδυρμὸς odurmos N NOM M SG mourning audible lamentation lamentation
G3602-01 2 Corinthians 7:7 ὀδυρμόν odurmon N ACC M SG mourning audible lamentation audible lamentation
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