Greek word · G4726

στεναγμός

stenagmos

groan

A groan or sigh: the sound of distress, longing or burden that cannot be put into neat speech. Related verb: stenazō, to groan.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 25, 2026

What it means

στεναγμός, -οῦ, ὁ

(στενάζω), [in LXX for אֲנָחָה, אֲנָקָה, נְאָקָה, etc. ;]

a groaning: Acts 7:34 (LXX κραυγή), Romans 8:26.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: A groan or sigh: the sound of distress, longing or burden that cannot be put into neat speech. Related verb: stenazō, to groan.
Against the English: 'Groans' or 'groanings' is a good match. 'Sighs' (used by some versions) can sound too mild or wistful.
Used elsewhere in the period: Septuagint: Exod 2:24 and 6:5, where God 'heard their groaning' in Egypt and remembered his covenant (quoted by Stephen in Acts 7:34). It also appears in the laments of the Psalms (Ps 6:7; 37[38]:10, 'my groaning is not hidden from you') and the prophets. In Paul: creation 'groans together' (Rom 8:22), and 'we groan' (8:23; 2 Cor 5:2, 4).

Range of meaning: A groan or sigh: the sound a person makes under pressure, pain or grief. It is wordless and comes from deep inside, unlike a structured prayer or a legal appeal.
Against the English: "Groaning" in all the major English versions is accurate.
Used elsewhere in the period: Exodus 3:7 (Septuagint) has κραυγή, "outcry". Stephen's word comes from Exod 2:24, "God heard their groaning and remembered his covenant with Abraham", and from Exod 6:5. Paul uses the same word for the Spirit's "groanings too deep for words" (Rom 8:26). The cognate verb appears in Rom 8:23 and 2 Cor 5:2, 4.

Acts · 1

Acts 7:34 στεναγμοῦ groans

I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’

Here: A wordless moan of distress, not a formal prayer. Stephen takes this word from Exodus 2:24, where God "heard their groaning" and remembered his covenant. Exodus 3:7 itself has "their cry".

Romans · 1

Romans 8:26 στεναγμοῖς with groanings

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.

Here: 'With groanings': the means or manner of the Spirit's pleading. The word picks up v. 22 (creation 'groans together') and v. 23 ('we groan'). In the Greek Old Testament it is the groaning of enslaved Israel that God heard (Exod 2:24; 6:5).

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.