"trans. to lament over, 2 Cor. 12:21; absol. to lament, be sad, mourn, Mt. 5:4; 9:15; Mk. 16:10; mid. to bewail one’s self, to feel guilt, 1 Cor. 5:2"
Definition and meaning
trans. to lament over, 2 Cor. 12:21; absol. to lament, be sad, mourn, Mt. 5:4; 9:15; Mk. 16:10; mid. to bewail one’s self, to feel guilt, 1 Cor. 5:2
In the original Greek the word is written: πενθέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pentheo (G3996) across the King James Bible.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
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Common questions
Strong's G3996 (pentheo) is a Greek word that means: trans. to lament over, 2 Cor. 12:21; absol. to lament, be sad, mourn, Mt. 5:4; 9:15; Mk. 16:10; mid. to bewail one’s self, to feel guilt, 1 Cor. 5:2 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word pentheo (G3996) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3996 is pentheo, a Greek word defined as: trans. to lament over, 2 Cor. 12:21; absol. to lament, be sad, mourn, Mt. 5:4; 9:15; Mk. 16:10; mid. to bewail one’s self, to feel guilt, 1 Cor. 5:2. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pentheo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.