5241. huperentugchanó

Lexical Summary

huperentugchanó: To intercede, to plead on behalf of

Original Word: ὑπερεντυγχάνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: huperentugchanó
Pronunciation: hoo-per-en-toong-KHAN-o
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-er-en-toong-khan'-o)
KJV: make intercession for
NASB: intercedes
Word Origin: [from G5228 (ὑπέρ - behalf) and G1793 (ἐντυγχάνω - intercedes)]

1. to intercede in behalf of

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

to plead, intercede

From huper and entugchano; to intercede in behalf of -- make intercession for

see GREEK huper

see GREEK entugchano

HELPS Word-studies

5241 hyperentygxánō (from 5228 /hypér, "for benefit" and 1793/entygxanō, "come in line with") – properly, to light upon (happen); literally, "bending over" to intercede, "confer benefit" (cf. R, 629). 5241 (hyperentygxánō) is used only in Ro 8:26.

5241/hyperentygxánō ("intercede") refers to the Holy Spirit interceding in every scene of our lives so we can "come in line with" the Lord's eternal purpose. The content of these intercessions goes beyond human language, and includes bringing sacred mysteries into our daily walk with Christ.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from huper and entugchanó
Definition
to intercede, to make petition for
NASB Translation
intercedes (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5241: ὑπερεντυγχάνω

ὑπερεντυγχάνω; to intercede for one: ὑπέρ τίνος (Winer's Grammar, § 52, 4, 17), Romans 8:26; on this passage see πνεῦμα, p. 522b. (Ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Canonical Setting

Romans 8 presents a threefold “groaning” motif: creation (Romans 8:22), believers (Romans 8:23), and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26). Within that framework ὑπερεντυγχάνω appears once, describing the Spirit’s in-depth intercession on behalf of the saints. The verb’s intensified form underscores that His advocacy rises above and beyond ordinary petition.

Text

“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.” (Romans 8:26)

Theological Significance

1. Divine Initiative in Prayer
• Prayer begins in God, not in humanity. The Spirit presses into the Father’s will for believers even when they cannot articulate need.
2. Assurance of Salvation
• Romans 8 moves inexorably toward the unbreakable “golden chain” (Romans 8:29–30). Spirit-initiated intercession guarantees that none of the elect will be lost.
3. Trinitarian Harmony
• The Son intercedes at the Father’s right hand (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). The Spirit intercedes within believers. Thus both persons work in concert, reflecting the Father’s salvific purpose (Romans 8:27).
4. Sanctification under Suffering
• The immediate context is weakness amid tribulation (Romans 8:18–25). Spirit-led intercession transforms affliction into conformity to Christ (Romans 8:28).

Relation to Christ’s Intercession

While the Son mediates on the basis of finished atonement, the Spirit mediates on the basis of present experience. The dual advocacy establishes an unassailable defense: Christ represents us before the throne; the Spirit represents the throne within us.

Historical Reception

• Early Church: Chrysostom highlighted the Spirit’s inexpressible groans as evidence of divine compassion.
• Augustine connected the inward groaning to the “love poured into our hearts” (Romans 5:5).
• Reformers: Calvin stressed that the Spirit is the “author of right prayers,” preventing despair when words fail. Puritan writers applied the verse pastorally to the anxious and the dying.
• Modern evangelical scholarship continues to view ὑπερεντυγχάνω as unique, irreducible to glossolalia or ecstatic speech; the groans remain wordless yet effectual.

Pastoral and Devotional Implications

1. Encouragement for the Inarticulate
• Believers who feel spiritually tongue-tied possess a Helper who translates heartache into heaven’s language.
2. Deepening Dependence
• Awareness of divine intercession cultivates humility, resisting self-reliance in prayer disciplines.
3. Prayer Meetings and Worship
• Corporate gatherings gain confidence that petitions align with the Spirit’s deeper pleadings.
4. Counseling and Crisis Ministry
• Romans 8:26 provides scriptural warrant to assure the suffering that God hears more than they can say.

Connections with Old Testament Themes

• The High-Priestly ministry foreshadowed continuous advocacy (Leviticus 16; Numbers 14:19).
• The “sighs” of enslaved Israel (Exodus 2:23-25) anticipate the Spirit’s groans, revealing divine responsiveness to human distress.

Eschatological Perspective

The Spirit’s intercession sustains believers until the consummation when hope becomes sight (Romans 8:24). The present ministry serves as a down payment, guaranteeing the final redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:13-14).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Teach prayer that begins with Scripture, trusting the Spirit to shape unspoken longings.
• Integrate silent pauses in worship to acknowledge the Spirit’s wordless advocacy.
• Encourage missionaries that linguistic limitations do not hinder divine intercession.
• Use Romans 8:26 in funerals and hospital visits to remind saints that weakness invites—not hinders—God’s help.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 5241 captures a singular moment in Scripture where the Holy Spirit is said to intercede “over and above” for believers. In that one occurrence lies a wellspring of comfort: every sigh of the child of God is gathered, perfected, and presented before the Father by the indwelling Spirit, guaranteeing that God’s redemptive plan will unfailingly reach its appointed end.

Forms and Transliterations

υπερεντυγχανει υπερεντυγχάνει ὑπερεντυγχάνει hyperentynchanei hyperentynchánei uperentunchanei

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 8:26 V-PIA-3S
GRK: τὸ πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις
NAS: Himself intercedes for [us] with groanings
KJV: itself maketh intercession for
INT: the Spirit makes intercession with groanings inexpressable

Strong's Greek 5241
1 Occurrence

ὑπερεντυγχάνει — 1 Occ.