In the Bible, the term "groan" is used to express deep emotional or physical distress, often in the context of suffering, longing, or the weight of sin. It is a profound expression of the human condition in a fallen world, as well as a response to divine intervention or the anticipation of redemption.

Old Testament Usage

The Hebrew word often translated as "groan" is "אָנַח" (anach), which conveys a sense of sighing or lamenting. One of the earliest instances of groaning is found in the book of Exodus, where the Israelites, under the harsh bondage of Egypt, cry out to God. "The Israelites groaned in their labor and cried out, and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God" (Exodus 2:23). Here, groaning is a response to oppression and a plea for divine deliverance.

In the Psalms, groaning is frequently associated with personal anguish and the burden of sin. David, in his penitential psalm, writes, "For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear. I am bent and brought low; all day long I go about mourning" (Psalm 38:4-6). This groaning reflects the inner turmoil and contrition of a heart seeking forgiveness.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets also speak of groaning in the context of judgment and the anticipation of God's intervention. In Isaiah, the prophet describes the groaning of the people as they await deliverance: "Like a pregnant woman about to give birth, she writhes and cries out in her pain. So were we in Your presence, O LORD" (Isaiah 26:17). This imagery captures the intense longing for salvation and the hope of new life.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "στενάζω" (stenazo) is used to describe groaning. The Apostle Paul uses this term to articulate the deep yearning for redemption and the transformation of creation. In Romans 8:22-23, Paul writes, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" . Here, groaning is linked to the eschatological hope of resurrection and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Paul also speaks of groaning in the context of the believer's present struggle and future hope. In 2 Corinthians 5:2, he states, "Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling" . This groaning reflects the tension between the present reality of suffering and the future glory that awaits believers.

Theological Significance

Groaning in the biblical narrative is not merely an expression of despair but is often accompanied by hope and faith in God's deliverance. It acknowledges the brokenness of the world while anticipating the restoration that God promises. The groans of creation, the groans of the oppressed, and the groans of the believer all point to a future where God will make all things new.

In the life of Jesus, groaning is seen in His deep compassion and identification with human suffering. In Mark 7:34, Jesus "looked up to heaven and sighed" before healing a deaf and mute man, demonstrating His empathy and divine authority over affliction.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of groaning encompasses a range of human experiences, from the depths of suffering to the heights of hope. It serves as a reminder of the present reality of sin and suffering, while also pointing to the ultimate redemption and restoration found in Christ.1. (v. i.) To give forth a low, moaning sound in breathing; to utter a groan, as in pain, in sorrow, or in derision; to moan.

2. (v. i.) To strive after earnestly, as with groans.

3. (v. t.) To affect by groans.

4. (n.) A low, moaning sound; usually, a deep, mournful sound uttered in pain or great distress; sometimes, an expression of strong disapprobation; as, the remark was received with groans.

GROAN

gron (na'aq, 'anaq; stenazo, embrimaomai): The English word, noun and verb, is an attempt to imitate the vocal sound which is expressive of severe pain or distress, physical or mental. It is cognate with the Scottish dialect word girn, and with grin in its original obsolete sense, as used in the Anglican Prayer-book version of Psalm 59:6, 14, "grin like a dog and go about the city"; here "grin" is a translation of hamah, and means the sound of the nightly howling of the pariah dogs in Jerusalem and other oriental cities. It is used in the Old Testament:

(1) To denote the expression accompanying physical suffering, as in the case of the Israelites in Egypt oppressed by Pharaoh's taskmasters (Exodus 2:24; Exodus 6:5), or in Palestine under the yoke of the Canaanites (Judges 2:18, neqaqah). It is also used in Job's description of the sufferings and wretchedness of the poor (Job 24:12) as well as in his complaint concerning his own suffering when smitten by the hand of God (Job 23:2). The Psalmist speaks of groaning when fever-stricken and remorseful, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "roaring all the day long" (Psalm 32:3; Psalm 38:9; Psalm 102:5; 22:1).

(2) The expression of suffering on the part of beasts, hungry and thirsty in drought (Joel 1:18).

(3) The manifestation of mental and spiritual distress as in Psalm 6:6; Psalm 102:20 (the Revised Version (British and American) "sighing").

(4) Metaphorically groaning is the despairing note of Egypt in the prophecy of her overthrow by Babylon, the sound being that uttered by a deadly wounded man (Ezekiel 30:24; similarly in the prophecy of the Persian conquest the misery of Babylon is thus represented by Jeremiah 51:52); and the misery of Tyre when taken by Babylon is similarly described (Ezekiel 26:15, the King James Version "cry").

The word for "sigh" ('anachah) is closely allied, and the meanings are sufficiently akin, so that the terms seem interchangeable. A sigh is physically a sign of respiratory distress due to depressed action of the heart; sighing is consequently the indication of physical weakness or mental disquietude, as Psalm 12:5; Psalm 31:10; Psalm 79:11 Isaiah 21:2; Isaiah 24:7; Isaiah 35:10 Jeremiah 45:3.

Na'aq is the crying of persons dying or starving, as in Ezekiel 30:24 Job 24:12. A somewhat similar word, haghah, means the complaining sound like that of the cooing of doves (Isaiah 59:11 Nahum 2:7). Nehi is the sound of lamentation of the dead (Jeremiah 9:10; Jeremiah 31:15 Amos 5:16).

In the New Testament "groaning" is used for the expression of mental distress. In John 11:33, 15 the word used is part of the verb embrimaomai, which conveys the idea of deep and earnest emotion. The same word in two other passages is translated "strictly charged," and indicates the emphasis of the charge (Matthew 9:30 Mark 1:43). Elsewhere "sighing" and "groaning" are renderings of words derived from the verb stenazo, as in Romans 8:23 2 Corinthians 5:2, 4; Mark 7:34; Mark 8:12. Stephen calls the groaning of Israel in Egypt stenagmos (Acts 7:34), and the united wail of the travailing creation is expressed by Paul by the word sunstenazei (Romans 8:22). The sigh is a characteristic sign of woe in Isaiah 21:2; 24:07:00; Jeremiah 45:3; Lamentations 14, 8, 11, 12; Ezekiel 9:4; 21:6.

Alexander Macalister

4727. stenazo -- to groan (within oneself)
... to groan (within oneself). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: stenazo Phonetic
Spelling: (sten-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I groan Definition: I groan ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4727.htm - 7k

4959. sustenazo -- to groan together
... to groan together. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sustenazo Phonetic Spelling:
(soos-ten-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I groan together Definition: I groan ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4959.htm - 6k

389. anastenazo -- to sigh deeply
... to sigh deeply. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anastenazo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-as-ten-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I groan or sigh deeply Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/389.htm - 7k

1690. embrimaomai -- to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly
... have indignation on, ie (transitively) to blame, (intransitively) to sigh with chagrin,
(specially) to sternly enjoin -- straitly charge, groan, murmur against ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1690.htm - 7k

5008. naaq -- to groan
... naaq. 5009 . to groan. Transliteration: naaq Phonetic Spelling: (naw-ak') Short
Definition: groan. ... root Definition to groan NASB Word Usage groan (2). groan. ...
/hebrew/5008.htm - 5k

602. anaq -- to cry, groan
... anaq. 603 . to cry, groan. Transliteration: anaq Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nak')
Short Definition: groan. ... root Definition to cry, groan NASB Word Usage groan (4). ...
/hebrew/602.htm - 5k

584. anach -- to sigh, groan
... 583, 584. anach. 585 . to sigh, groan. Transliteration: anach Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-nakh') Short Definition: groan. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/584.htm - 5k

5098. naham -- to growl, groan
... 5097, 5098. naham. 5099 . to growl, groan. Transliteration: naham Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-ham') Short Definition: groan. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5098.htm - 5k

6463. paah -- to groan
... paah. 6464 . to groan. Transliteration: paah Phonetic Spelling: (paw-aw') Short
Definition: groan. ... root Definition to groan NASB Word Usage groan (1). cry. ...
/hebrew/6463.htm - 5k

5009. neaqah -- a groan, groaning
... neaqah. 5010 . a groan, groaning. Transliteration: neaqah Phonetic Spelling:
(neh-aw-kaw') Short Definition: groaning. ... groaning. From na'aq; a groan -- groaning ...
/hebrew/5009.htm - 6k

5091. nahah -- to wail, lament
... lament, wail. A primitive root; to groan, ie Bewail; hence (through the idea of
crying aloud), to assemble (as if on proclamation) -- lament, wail. ...
/hebrew/5091.htm - 6k

578. anah -- to mourn
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to mourn NASB Word Usage lament (2). lament,
mourn. A primitive root; to groan -- lament, mourn. 577, 578. anah. 579 . ...
/hebrew/578.htm - 5k

2603a. chanan -- to show favor, be gracious
... pity (1), finds...favor (1), give them to us voluntarily (1), gracious (45), graciously
(1), graciously given (1), graciously grant (1), groan (1), implore (1 ...
/hebrew/2603a.htm - 6k

7580. shaag -- to roar
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to roar NASB Word Usage groan (1), roar (6),
roar mightily (1), roared (3), roaring (4), roars (4). mightily, roar. ...
/hebrew/7580.htm - 5k

Nor did I yet Groan in My Prayers, that Thou Wouldest Help Me...
... Book VI Chapter III Nor did I yet groan in my prayers, that Thou wouldest
help me? Nor did I yet groan in my prayers, that Thou ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iii nor did i.htm

ChapterThree May be Paraphrased, I Think, Somewhat in this Way...
... How deep and terrible the groan here, "For all is vanity." Yet the pitch-dark
background shall serve to throw into glorious relief, the glory of that light ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter iii chapter three may.htm

In Wisdom Let us Hearken to Death, O My Beloved: How He Accuses us ...
... In the houses weeping and in the streets, also wailing: and even unto the gates
of Sheol, they groan over me."26. Groan over yourselves ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lxi in wisdom let.htm

Remembering How Far the Writer of Our Book Excels all who have ...
... more rest. Bitter groan this, indeed! For ... need alone. Yes, but does this really
answer the root cause of the groan in our chapter? Is ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vi remembering how far.htm

2 Cor. v. 1
... [2.] Ver.2. "For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our
habitation which is from heaven.". What habitation? ... And why do we groan now? ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily x 2 cor v.htm

Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... faith is accomplished in the hope of that future final resurrection and glory, when
"this corruptible," that is, this flesh in which we now groan, "shall put ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lv replies to questions.htm

The Enchanted Ground
... You sighed once; you would give a world if you could sigh now. You used to groan
once; a groan now would be worth a golden star if you could buy it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the enchanted ground.htm

Letter Xlvi. To a Fallen virgin.
... Truly God's laws would groan aloud on seeing so great a pollution on the earth. ...
[2113] So too would groan the companies [2114] of the Saints. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xlvi to a fallen.htm

Spiritual Revival, the Want of the Church
... of Jesus; the connection between themmselves and Christ will at times be severed,
as to their own conscious enjoyment of it; but they will always groan and cry ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 44 1898/spiritual revival the want of.htm

The Wise Man, Having Found that Wisdom Brought with it but ...
... that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit; and
there was no profit under the sun." Thus he groans again,"a groan that has ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter ii the wise man.htm

Groan (32 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To give forth a low, moaning sound in breathing;
to utter a groan, as in pain, in sorrow, or in derision; to moan. ...GROAN. ...
/g/groan.htm - 21k

Groaned (7 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Groan. Multi-Version Concordance ... (WEB ASV). Psalms 77:3 I remember
God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah. (See NIV). ...
/g/groaned.htm - 8k

Moan (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To make a low prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether articulate or not;
to groan softly and continuously. ... Joel 1:18 How the animals groan! ...
/m/moan.htm - 10k

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:23 Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit,
even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the ...
/o/ourselves.htm - 38k

Clothed (153 Occurrences)
... In all probability Paul thinks of a certain envelopment of his physical mortal body
even in this life ("in this we groan," ie in this present body), hence, the ...
/c/clothed.htm - 37k

Mortally (17 Occurrences)
... 51:52 Therefore, behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will execute judgment
on her engraved images; and through all her land the wounded shall groan. ...
/m/mortally.htm - 11k

Crying (247 Occurrences)
... Other Hebrew words are 'anaq, "to groan" (Ezekiel 9:4; Ezekiel 24:17 the King James
Version; Ezekiel 26:15 the King James Version); hamah, "to make a noise ...
/c/crying.htm - 44k

Clothe (52 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 5:2 For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with
our habitation which is from heaven; (Root in WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS NIV ...
/c/clothe.htm - 22k

Cry (431 Occurrences)
... Other Hebrew words are 'anaq, "to groan" (Ezekiel 9:4; Ezekiel 24:17 the King James
Version; Ezekiel 26:15 the King James Version); hamah, "to make a noise ...
/c/cry.htm - 46k

Wounded (114 Occurrences)
... I am sore wounded. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Job 24:12
From out of the populous city, men groan. The soul of the ...
/w/wounded.htm - 37k

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