Lexical Summary ouai: Woe, alas Original Word: οὐαί Strong's Exhaustive Concordance alas, woe. A primary exclamation of grief; "woe" -- alas, woe. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. interj. Definition alas! woe! (an expression of grief or denunciation) NASB Translation woe (46), woes (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3759: οὐαίοὐαί, an interjection of grief or of denunciation; the Sept. chiefly for הוי and אוי; "Alas! Woe!" with a dat of person added, Matthew 11:21; Matthew 18:7; Matthew 23:13-16, 23, 25, 27, 29; Matthew 24:19; Matthew 26:24; Mark 13:17; Mark 14:21; Luke 6:24-26; Luke 10:13; Luke 11:42-44, 46f, 52; Luke 21:23; Luke 22:22; Jude 1:11; Revelation 12:12 R G L, small edition. (see below) (Numbers 21:29; Isaiah 3:9, and often in the Sept.); thrice repeated, and followed by a dative, Revelation 8:13 R G L WH marginal reading (see below); the dative is omitted in Luke 17:1; twice repeated and followed by a nominative in place of a vocative, Revelation 18:10, 16, 19 (Isaiah 1:24; Isaiah 5:8-22; Habakkuk 2:6, 12, etc.); exceptionally, with an accusative of the person, in Revelation 8:13 T Tr WH text, and Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3759, οὐαί (transliterated “ouai”), conveys an intense exclamation of grief, dread, or denunciation. While a single Greek interjection, it gathers into itself the prophetic lament of Scripture, the moral outrage of the incarnate Christ, the self-reproach of the apostle, and the final trumpet of eschatological judgment. Across forty-seven New Testament occurrences its tone varies from compassionate sorrow to uncompromising doom, yet always in harmony with the righteousness and mercy of God. Old Testament Prophetic Background The Septuagint uses οὐαί to translate the Hebrew interjection hôy, common in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Habakkuk, and the Minor Prophets. There it introduces oracles against nations, cities, or individuals who defy the covenant. The New Testament echoes this backdrop, showing continuity between the prophets and Jesus, the final Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15; Hebrews 1:1-2). Woes in the Ministry of Jesus 1. Lament over Unrepentant Cities Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13 record the double “Woe” upon Chorazin and Bethsaida, cities that witnessed mighty works yet remained unmoved. “For if the miracles performed in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:21). Here οὐαί expresses divine grief at hardened hearts and warns of heightened judgment proportional to revelation received. 2. Warnings Concerning Stumbling Blocks “Woe to the world for the causes of sin… but woe to the man through whom they come!” (Matthew 18:7). Jesus affirms human accountability: while offenses must come in a fallen world, deliberate agents of temptation face severe judgment. 3. Maternal Distress in Tribulation “Woe to those who are pregnant and nursing infants in those days!” (Matthew 24:19; Mark 13:17; Luke 21:23). The word here sounds a compassionate alarm, highlighting the vulnerability of life in impending crises—an echo of prophetic siege lamentations (e.g., Lamentations 4:3-4). 4. The Seven (or Eight) Woes upon the Scribes and Pharisees Matthew 23:13-29 and Luke 11:42-52 deliver the longest series of οὐαί. Each exposes hypocrisy that hinders others, distorts values, or masks inner corruption. Example: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces” (Matthew 23:13). These woes uphold the inseparability of external religion and internal righteousness. 5. Luke’s Woes that Balance the Beatitudes Luke 6:24-26 juxtaposes blessings on the poor, hungry, and sorrowful with woes on the self-satisfied: “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort” (Luke 6:24). The moral reversal anticipates eschatological justice. Apostolic Self-Woe Paul’s personal cry, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16), is unique. Instead of condemning others, the apostle directs οὐαί inward, showing holy fear lest he neglect his stewardship. The same gravity appears in Jude 1:11: “Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain…,” condemning false teachers who mirror ancient rebels. Eschatological Threefold Woe Revelation concentrates οὐαί in cosmic judgment scenes: • Revelation 8:13 – “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth” precedes trumpet blasts five through seven. The triple repetition intensifies urgency and finality, matching Old Testament patterns (Isaiah 6:3; Ezekiel 21:27). Theological Themes 1. Justice and Mercy Intertwined – Every woe condemns persistent sin while implicitly inviting repentance before judgment falls (Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9). Pastoral and Homiletical Implications • Preaching must include both blessings and woes. Solely positive proclamation fails to convey the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Summary Οὐαί is not a mere archaic cry but a living word that uncovers sin, calls to repentance, and certifies God’s ultimate victory. Whether sounded by prophet, Messiah, apostle, or angel, its solemn note reminds every generation: divine patience has limits, yet mercy still stands open to the contrite. Forms and Transliterations Ουαι ουαί Οὐαί Οὐαὶ ουδαμού Ouai Ouaí OuaìLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:21 InjGRK: Οὐαί σοι Χοραζίν NAS: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe KJV: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! INT: Woe to you Chorazin Matthew 11:21 Inj Matthew 18:7 Inj Matthew 18:7 Inj Matthew 23:13 Inj Matthew 23:14 I Matthew 23:15 Inj Matthew 23:16 Inj Matthew 23:23 Inj Matthew 23:25 Inj Matthew 23:27 Inj Matthew 23:29 Inj Matthew 24:19 Inj Matthew 26:24 Inj Mark 13:17 Inj Mark 14:21 Inj Luke 6:24 Inj Luke 6:25 Inj Luke 6:25 Inj Luke 6:26 Inj Luke 10:13 Inj Luke 10:13 Inj Luke 11:42 Inj Luke 11:43 Inj Luke 11:44 Inj |
    |