Lexical Summary boaó: To cry out, to shout Original Word: βοάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cry. Apparently a prolonged form of a primary verb; to halloo, i.e. Shout (for help or in a tumultuous way) -- cry. HELPS Word-studies 994 boáō (from 995 /boḗ, "cry out") – exclaim ("cry out"); to make an urgent distress-call; summon intensely, because sorely needing a response (assistance). 994 /boáō ("shouting with intense feeling") is a very emotional term (Abbott-Smith), "manifesting deep feeling" (J. Thayer). [This is also the connotation of this term in classical Greek.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom boé Definition to call out NASB Translation called (1), cried (1), cry (1), crying (4), loudly declaring (1), shout (1), shouted (1), shouting (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 994: βοάωβοάω, βόω; (imperfect ἐβόων, Acts 21:34 Rec.); 1 aorist ἐβόησα; (βοή); from Homer down; in the Sept. mostly for קָרָא, זָעַק, צָעַק, to cry aloud, shout (Latinboo); 1. to raise a cry: of joy, Galatians 4:27 (from Isaiah 54:1); of pain, Matthew 27:46 L marginal reading Tr WH; Acts 8:7. 2. to cry i. e. speak with a high, strong voice: Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23 (all from Isaiah 40:3); Mark 15:34; Luke 9:38 (R G ἀναβοάω); (Luke 18:38); Acts 17:6; Acts 21:34 Rec.; 3. πρός τινα to cry to one for help, implore his aid: Luke 18:7 (T Tr WH αὐτῷ; cf. Winer's Grammar, 212 (199)) (1 Samuel 7:8; 1 Chronicles 5:20; Hosea 7:14, etc. for אֶל זָעַק). (Compare: ἀναβοάω, ἐπιβοάω.) The verb conveyed by Strong’s Greek number 994 portrays a loud, urgent cry. Whether voiced by a herald, a petitioner, an oppressor, a demon, or the Messiah Himself, it consistently depicts intensity that refuses silence. The twelve New Testament occurrences fall naturally into four spheres: prophetic proclamation, desperate appeal, hostile outcry, and climactic redemption. Old Testament Background The Septuagint often employs this root where Hebrew uses זָעַק or קָרָא for cries of anguish or announcement (for example Exodus 2:23; Isaiah 40:3). This backdrop supplies two key ideas that reappear in the New Testament: (1) Yahweh hears the distressed who “cry out,” and (2) the authoritative herald’s shout marks decisive divine intervention. Prophetic Voice in the Wilderness Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23 unite around Isaiah 40:3: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.’ ” John the Baptist’s ministry is characterized not by quiet suggestion but by a piercing summons demanding repentance. His cry sets the tone for the Gospel age: the King is near; complacency must cease. The Barren Woman’s Shout of Joy Galatians 4:27 cites Isaiah 54:1: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed”. Paul applies the command to the spiritual fruitfulness of the new covenant. Here the cry is triumphant, celebrating the fulfillment of promise after apparent sterility. The verb underscores the magnitude of grace now revealed in the “Jerusalem above.” Cry for Deliverance and Mercy Luke 9:38; Luke 18:38 record individuals who “cried out” to Jesus. The desperate father pleads for his possessed son; the blind beggar near Jericho shouts, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Such cries are acts of faith. They acknowledge personal helplessness while asserting confidence that Christ alone can intervene. Luke 18:7 broadens the theme: “Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night?” Persistent petition is portrayed as righteous, anticipated, and certainly answered, though “He may be slow to respond to them” in human reckoning (verse 7b). The elect’s incessant cry parallels the widow’s importunity and assures ultimate vindication. Hostile Outcry against the Gospel Acts 17:6 and 25:24 illustrate crowds “crying out” in opposition to the apostles. In Thessalonica the mob accuses, “These men who have upset the world have come here as well” (17:6). Before Festus, Jerusalem’s leaders shout that Paul should not live any longer (25:24). Such scenes reveal the spiritual warfare inherent in gospel advance; the same verb that heralds salvation can voice rebellion against it. Demons Dislodged Acts 8:7 notes unclean spirits “crying with a loud voice” as they depart under Philip’s ministry in Samaria. The shriek marks their defeat and the inbreaking of the kingdom of God. The verb thus registers both the plight of sufferers and the turmoil of evil powers confronted by Christ’s authority. The Son’s Cry from the Cross Mark 15:34 records, “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ ” The incarnate Son enters humanity’s extremity, voicing the anguish of bearing sin. Yet even this cry is an act of trust addressed to “My God,” leading ultimately to resurrection and vindication. Eschatological Assurance The pattern anticipates Revelation’s vision where martyrs “cry out with a loud voice” for justice (Revelation 6:10; the same root in the LXX). Luke 18:7–8 guarantees that such cries will be answered swiftly when the Son of Man comes. Hence the verb carries eschatological weight: every righteous appeal will receive God’s decisive response. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Proclamation: Gospel preaching should carry clarity and urgency, mirroring John’s wilderness cry. Summary Strong’s 994 threads through Scripture as a vocal cord of redemption—summoning the lost, pleading for mercy, denouncing injustice, expressing anguish, and heralding triumph. From the wilderness of Judea to the cross of Calvary and the mission fields of Acts, its sound reminds readers that the God who commands proclamation also hears every desperate cry and will answer in righteousness. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 3:3 V-PPA-GMSGRK: λέγοντος Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ NAS: THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, KJV: The voice of one crying in INT: saying [The] voice of one crying in the Mark 1:3 V-PPA-GMS Mark 15:34 V-AIA-3S Luke 3:4 V-PPA-GMS Luke 9:38 V-AIA-3S Luke 18:7 V-PPA-GMP Luke 18:38 V-AIA-3S John 1:23 V-PPA-GMS Acts 8:7 V-PPA-NNP Acts 17:6 V-PPA-NMP Acts 25:24 V-PPA-NMP Galatians 4:27 V-AMA-2S Strong's Greek 994 |
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