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σπλαγχνίζομαι

splanchnízomai

G4697 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To be moved inwardly with deep emotion; to feel intense compassion or pity for someone in distress. The core meaning is a visceral emotional response that motivates concern or action toward another's suffering; in broader contexts, it can indicate the stirring of empathy, mercy, or heartfelt pity.

Semantic Range

to be moved with pity, to be deeply compassionate, to feel mercy, to experience visceral empathy, to have one's feelings stirred deeply, to have a profound emotional response toward another's suffering

Root / Etymology

Middle voice of the verb formed from the noun σπλάγχνον (inward parts, entrails, bowels), which in Greek thought are considered the seat of deep emotions and affections. The verb σπλαγχνίζομαι thus literally means 'to be moved in the inward parts,' with a figurative sense of being deeply emotionally stirred. The formation is regular, using the -ίζω/-ίζομαι verb ending to indicate a process or state of being affected in this way.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σπλάγχνα referred to the 'inward parts,' especially those thought to be the seat of the most intense feelings, such as compassion or affection. The verb σπλαγχνίζομαι is rare or absent in classical sources but becomes significant in the Koine period, particularly in Jewish-Greek writings and the New Testament, where it expresses an intense, often practical compassion (e.g., Jesus being deeply moved by human distress). The English tradition often translates this as 'to have compassion' or 'to be moved with pity,' but the Greek carries a strong sense of deep, gut-level emotion prompting merciful action. While the classical Greek term for compassion is more typically ἐλεέω or οἰκτείρω, σπλαγχνίζομαι emphasizes the affective dimension—the way compassion is physically felt in the 'inward parts.' In the LXX and NT, this term regularly describes the reaction of God or Jesus to human suffering, sometimes in contrast with the less visceral connotations of other Greek terms. The underlying metaphor (compassion 'from the bowels') persists in many ancient cultures, including Israelite and Judean usages that locate emotion in the guts or womb. Regularly, σπλαγχνίζομαι appears with recipients of healing, forgiveness, or help. Later usage continues this trajectory, reinforcing the close link between physical sensation and compassionate emotion in Greek thought.

Translation Consistency

primary "pity" 0 occurrences

G4697 consistently denotes a visceral, compassionate stirring toward another’s suffering. As a single English verb, “pity” naturally and commonly renders that sense (e.g. “he pitied them”), is easily inflected for all forms, and keeps translations concise and readable. Alternatives like “be moved” or the phrase “have compassion” are accurate but either multi-word or less convenient for a single consistent base verb.

Alternatives (12 occurrences):
"inwardly pitied" (6x) "having been inwardly pitied" (4x) "inwardly moved with compassion" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from σπλάγχνον; to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity:--have (be moved with) compassion.

Root Family

σπλαγχνίζομαι (splanchnizomai) — to feel inward affection, to be moved with compassion, to pity

Root σπλαγχν- to feel inward affection, to be moved with compassion, to pity

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4697-01 ἐσπλαγχνίσθη esplagchnisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG had compassion was inwardly moved with compassion was inwardly pitied 6
G4697-02 σπλαγχνισθεὶς splagchnistheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having been moved with compassion having been inwardly moved with compassion having been inwardly pitied 4
G4697-03 σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I have compassion I am inwardly moved with compassion I am inwardly moved with compassion 2

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4697-01 Matthew 9:36 ἐσπλαγχνίσθη esplagchnisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG he had compassion was inwardly moved with compassion was inwardly pitied
G4697-01 Matthew 14:14 ἐσπλαγχνίσθη esplagchnisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG He felt compassion was inwardly moved with compassion was inwardly pitied
G4697-03 Matthew 15:32 σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I have compassion I am inwardly moved with compassion I am inwardly moved with compassion
G4697-02 Matthew 18:27 σπλαγχνισθεὶς splagchnistheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having been moved with compassion having been inwardly moved with compassion having been inwardly pitied
G4697-02 Matthew 20:34 σπλαγχνισθεὶς splagchnistheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having been moved with compassion having been inwardly moved with compassion having been inwardly pitied
G4697-02 Mark 1:41 σπλαγχνισθεὶς splagchnistheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG moved with compassion having been inwardly moved with compassion having been inwardly pitied
G4697-01 Mark 6:34 ἐσπλαγχνίσθη esplagchnisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG he had compassion was inwardly moved with compassion was inwardly pitied
G4697-03 Mark 8:2 σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I have compassion I am inwardly moved with compassion I am inwardly moved with compassion
G4697-02 Mark 9:22 σπλαγχνισθεὶς splagchnistheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG have compassion having been inwardly moved with compassion having been inwardly pitied
G4697-01 Luke 7:13 ἐσπλαγχνίσθη esplagchnisthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG had compassion was inwardly moved with compassion was inwardly pitied
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