Lexical Summary alalétos: Inexpressible, unspeakable Original Word: ἀλάλητος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unutterable, inexpressible.From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of laleo; unspeakable -- unutterable, which cannot be uttered. see GREEK a see GREEK laleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and laleó Definition inexpressible NASB Translation too deep (1), too deep for words (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 215: ἀλάλητοςἀλάλητος, (λαλητός from λαλέω; (cf. Winers Grammar, 23)), not to be uttered, not to be expressed in words: στεναγμοί mute sighs, the expression of which is suppressed by grief, Romans 8:26 (others, 'which (from their nature) cannot be uttered'; cf. Meyer at the passage; Winers Grammar, 97 (92)). (Anth. Pal. 5, 4 συνίστορα ἀλαλήτων, i. e. of love-secrets.) Topical Lexicon Linguistic Background Strong’s Greek 215 designates the adjective translated “inexpressible” or “too deep for words,” capturing experiences that transcend verbal articulation. Biblical Usage Romans 8:26 provides the only New Testament occurrence: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words” (Berean Standard Bible). Here the term modifies “groans,” stressing that the Spirit’s intercession operates beyond the limits of human language. Theological Significance 1. The reality of human limitation. Paul states that believers “do not know how we ought to pray.” The word highlights the gap between finite understanding and divine wisdom. Relation to the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit The word sheds light on the Spirit’s multifaceted role: Historical Interpretation Early Christian writers—such as Irenaeus, Chrysostom and Augustine—linked the “inexpressible groans” to the Spirit’s presence within the Church, especially during persecution when articulate prayer was often impossible. Reformation commentators emphasized gracious enablement: even the most mature believers must depend on the Spirit. Contemporary conservative scholarship continues this trajectory, pointing to the verse as a safeguard against both prayerlessness and self-reliance. Worship and Prayer Implications 1. Freedom in prayer: believers need not fear silence or inadequacy; the Spirit compensates. Pastoral and Ministry Application • Counseling: those crushed by grief may find comfort in knowing that sighs and tears can be Spirit-fashioned intercession. Related Biblical Themes • Ineffable revelation: Paul “heard inexpressible things” in Paradise (2 Corinthians 12:4), and the believer receives “an indescribable gift” in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15). These parallels show that both divine revelation and divine intercession can exceed human vocabulary. Summary Strong’s Greek 215 marks the point where speech fails and the Spirit prevails. In the believer’s weakness, He supplies perfect petitions inscrutable to the human ear yet fully intelligible to the Father, guaranteeing that every genuine need is heard and answered according to the eternal purpose of God in Christ. Forms and Transliterations αλαλητοις αλαλήτοις ἀλαλήτοις alaletois alalētois alalḗtoisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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