4728. stenos

Lexicon

stenos: Narrow, strait

Original Word: στενός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: stenos
Pronunciation: ste-nos'
Phonetic Spelling: (sten-os')
Definition: Narrow, strait
Meaning: narrow, strait.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

narrow, strait.

Probably from the base of histemi; narrow (from obstacles standing close about) -- strait.

see GREEK histemi

HELPS Word-studies

4728 stenós – properly, narrow; (figuratively) the closely-defined path God ordains to travel on to gain His approval (used three times in the NT).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
narrow
NASB Translation
narrow (2), small (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4728: στενός

στενός, στενή, στενόν, from Aeschylus and Herodotus down, the Sept. for צַר, narrow, strait: πύλη, Matthew 7:13 (14 (here L Tr brackets πύλη)); Luke 13:24.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the base of the Greek word "στέλλω" (stellō), meaning "to set" or "to place."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of "narrow" or "strait" in the Hebrew Bible can be related to the Hebrew word "צַר" (tsar • Strong's Hebrew 6862), which also conveys the idea of being narrow or confined. This term is often used in contexts of distress or adversity, paralleling the New Testament's use of "στενός" to describe the challenging path of righteousness.

Usage: The word "στενός" is used in the New Testament to describe paths or gates that are narrow, often in a metaphorical sense to illustrate the difficulty or exclusivity of a particular way or choice.

Context: The Greek word "στενός" appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the challenging nature of the path to righteousness and eternal life. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus uses the term to contrast the broad and easy path leading to destruction with the narrow path leading to life: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it" (BSB). This passage highlights the exclusivity and difficulty of the Christian journey, suggesting that true discipleship requires commitment and perseverance.

The metaphor of the "narrow" path or gate serves as a warning against complacency and the allure of the easier, more popular choices that lead away from God's will. It underscores the importance of discernment and the willingness to follow a path that may be less traveled but ultimately leads to spiritual fulfillment and salvation.

The use of "στενός" in the New Testament reflects a broader biblical theme of the remnant—those who remain faithful despite challenges and opposition. It calls believers to a life of intentionality and dedication, recognizing that the way to eternal life is not without its trials and demands.

Forms and Transliterations

στενά στενη στενή στενὴ στενήν στενης στενής στενῆς στενοίς στενόν στενός στενώ stene stenē stenḕ stenes stenês stenēs stenē̂s

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 7:13 Adj-GFS
GRK: διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης ὅτι
NAS: through the narrow gate; for the gate
KJV: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for
INT: through the narrow gate for

Matthew 7:14 Adj-NFS
GRK: τί στενὴ ἡ πύλη
NAS: For the gate is small and the way
KJV: Because strait [is] the gate, and
INT: for small [is] the gate

Luke 13:24 Adj-GFS
GRK: διὰ τῆς στενῆς θύρας ὅτι
NAS: through the narrow door;
KJV: to enter in at the strait gate: for
INT: through the narrow door for

Strong's Greek 4728
3 Occurrences

στενὴ — 1 Occ.
στενῆς — 2 Occ.