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στενάζω

stenázō

G4727 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To groan or sigh audibly or inwardly, often as an expression of distress, pain, longing, or intense feeling. In extended uses, denotes a state of deep emotional response—such as anguish, yearning, or burden—that prompts a vocal or inward response. Can also convey the sense of feeling constrained or under pressure, leading to this audible or inaudible response.

Semantic Range

to groan audibly from pain or distress, to sigh inwardly or outwardly from longing or anxiety, to express inward or outward emotional or spiritual pressure, to murmur (rare), to pray inaudibly (very rare)

Root / Etymology

From the root στενός (narrow, constrained), with the added verb-forming suffix -άζω, indicating action. Thus, στενάζω literally means 'to make a sound as one who is pressed in or under distress.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in classical Greek (e.g., Homer, tragic poets) to express audible groaning or sighing as a sign of pain, lament, grief, or longing. In Hellenistic and Koine periods—including the Septuagint and New Testament— στενάζω typically denotes outward or inward groaning or sighing in response to suffering, hardship, or intense emotional or spiritual burden. Septuagint usage parallels Hebrew verbs like אָנַח (to groan, sigh), indicating distress or hardship. In the New Testament, στενάζω often signifies a deep, sometimes inexpressible spiritual or emotional reaction—whether to physical suffering (Mark 7:34), anticipation of eschatological hope or existential burden (Romans 8:23; 2 Corinthians 5:2,4), or general human distress. English translations often render as 'groan,' 'sigh,' or 'murmur,' but this may not capture the nuanced contexts of internal longing or constraint signaled by the term. Rarely, the word can imply murmuring or uttering quietly, especially in prayer or supplication, but this is not the primary sense. στενάζω always carries a connotation of pressure, hardship, or longing prompting an audible or inward sound.

Translation Consistency

primary "groan" 5 occurrences

Most occurrences and the usual semantic force are audible or inward expressions of distress or pressure best captured by “groan.” “Groan” naturally covers both audible and inward responses of anguish, longing, or burden (and can be used figuratively), while the quieter sense “sigh” is less common here. Choosing “groan” ensures consistent, natural English that matches the SILEX range and typical usage.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"sighed" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from στενός; to make (intransitively, be) in straits, i.e. (by implication) to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly:--with grief, groan, grudge, sigh.

Root Family

στενάζω (stenazō) — to groan, to sigh, to feel pressed, to express distress

Root στεν- to groan, to sigh, to be pressed, feel distress

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4727-03 στενάζομεν stenazomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL groan we are groaning we are groaning 3
G4727-04 στενάζοντες stenazontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL groaning those groaning groaning 1
G4727-02 στενάζετε stenazete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL complain Keep groaning groan 1
G4727-01 ἐστέναξεν estenaxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he sighed he groaned he sighed 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4727-01 Mark 7:34 ἐστέναξεν estenaxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he sighed he groaned he sighed
G4727-03 Romans 8:23 στενάζομεν stenazomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL groan we are groaning we are groaning
G4727-03 2 Corinthians 5:2 στενάζομεν stenazomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we groan we are groaning we are groaning
G4727-03 2 Corinthians 5:4 στενάζομεν stenazomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL groan we are groaning we are groaning
G4727-04 Hebrews 13:17 στενάζοντες stenazontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL groaning those groaning groaning
G4727-02 James 5:9 στενάζετε stenazete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL complain Keep groaning groan
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