"to groan, sigh, Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:2, 4; Heb. 13:17; to sigh inwardly, Mk. 7:34; to give vent to querulous or censorious feelings, Jas. 5:9*"
Definition and meaning
to groan, sigh, Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:2, 4; Heb. 13:17; to sigh inwardly, Mk. 7:34; to give vent to querulous or censorious feelings, Jas. 5:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: στενάζω
Historical context
The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.
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 stenazo (G4727) across the King James Bible.
And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4727 (stenazo) is a Greek word that means: to groan, sigh, Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:2, 4; Heb. 13:17; to sigh inwardly, Mk. 7:34; to give vent to querulous or censorious feelings, Jas. 5:9* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word stenazo (G4727) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4727 is stenazo, a Greek word defined as: to groan, sigh, Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:2, 4; Heb. 13:17; to sigh inwardly, Mk. 7:34; to give vent to querulous or censorious feelings, Jas. 5:9*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
stenazo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.