ὀδυρμός

From the study of Matthew 2:18

Range of meaning

Lamentation or wailing: grief expressed aloud, often in the formal mourning cries of a funeral. Related to the verb ὀδύρομαι, 'to lament, bewail'.

Against the English

BSB, NIV and NASB have 'great mourning' and the ESV 'loud lamentation'. In English, 'mourning' can mean a quiet inward state. The Greek word is about the audible part: wailing and crying out.

How it drifted

Modern Western grief is often private. Ancient Mediterranean mourning was loud and public, with keening, wailing and sometimes hired mourners (Jer 9:17–20; Matt 9:23). 'Mourning' keeps the sense but loses the sound.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint uses it in Jeremiah 38:15 (= 31:15 in the Hebrew), the verse Matthew is quoting, and in 2 Maccabees 11:6. In the New Testament it appears only here and in 2 Corinthians 7:7. In classical and later Greek it is regularly used for grieving the dead.

From the study of 2 Corinthians 7:7

Range of meaning

Lamentation, wailing, grief that is voiced. It belongs with mourning words like klauthmos ('weeping') and thrēnos ('dirge').

Against the English

'Mourning' (KJV, BSB, WEB) suggests to modern ears grief over a death or quiet sadness. 'Lamentation' (YLT) is closer to an outward, expressed grief. NIV's 'deep sorrow' captures the depth but not the outwardness.

How it drifted

Modern English 'mourning' has narrowed largely to bereavement. The Greek is the language of lament, used here of grief over a broken relationship and over wrongdoing.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matthew 2:18 quotes LXX Jeremiah 38:15 (= 31:15 in English Bibles): 'weeping and great lamentation (odurmos)', Rachel weeping for her children. 2 Maccabees 11:6 uses the plural for lamentations and tears in public supplication. These are the only two New Testament uses: Matthew 2:18 and here.