ὀδυνάω

I torment, pain

Definition

The verb ὀδυνάω means to cause severe pain or torment, or to experience such pain oneself. In its active voice, it describes inflicting anguish, as seen in Luke 16:25 where Abraham tells the rich man he is 'tormented' in Hades. In its middle and passive forms, it refers to being in a state of intense distress, which can be physical or, more commonly in the New Testament, emotional. For example, in Luke 2:48, Mary speaks of the deep emotional pain she and Joseph experienced while searching for the young Jesus. In Acts 20:38, it describes the profound grief of the Ephesian elders at Paul's departure.

Biblical Usage

This word is used four times in the New Testament, exclusively in Luke-Acts. It consistently depicts scenes of profound, often relational, anguish. In Luke 16:24-25, it describes the physical torment of the rich man in Hades, while in Luke 2:48 and Acts 20:38, it conveys the emotional pain of separation and impending loss among loved ones. The usage pattern shows a preference for deep, personal suffering rather than casual discomfort.

Etymology

Derived from the noun ὀδύνη (odynē, G3601), meaning 'pain, grief, or distress.' The verb form carries the sense of being in or causing a state of acute suffering. It is related to words expressing sorrow and lamentation, emphasizing a sharp, often inward, agony.

Semantic Range

This word highlights the profound reality of suffering in the human and post-mortem experience. In Luke 16, it underscores the serious consequences of a life lived without regard for God and neighbor, depicting a conscious state of torment. In the other passages, it validates the depth of human grief and love within godly relationships, as seen in Mary's distress and the church's sorrow. Understanding this term enriches reading by emphasizing the intense emotional and spiritual realities present in these narratives.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, expressions of grief and lamentation were often more public and demonstrative than in many modern cultures. The kind of deep anguish (ὀδυνάω) described, especially in Acts 20:38, would have been understood as a powerful and appropriate response to the loss of a revered leader and teacher, reflecting the strength of communal bonds.

βασανίζω (basanizō, G928) — often implies torture or testing, with a stronger connotation of external infliction. λυπέω (lypeō, G3076) — a broader term for causing grief or sorrow, generally less intense than ὀδυνάω. στενάζω (stenazō, G4727) — to groan or sigh, focusing on the expression of inner distress rather than the pain itself.

Word Details

Scripture References