κλαυθμός
klauthmos
weeping
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word κλαυθμός (klauthmos) is defined as "weeping." This term appears 9 times in the Bible. Given its simple yet impactful definition, klauthmos is likely used in situations where intense emotional expression is required. In terms of usage, we see that κλαυθμός encompasses a range of emotions, from sorrow (its primary association) to possible frustration or even intense despair. It is often accompanied by related terms such as "sorrow" or "pain," which suggests that weeping is closely tied to negative emotions in biblical Greek. Given its relatively high frequency of 9 occurrences in the biblical text, we can infer that κλαυθμός is not an isolated or rare term, but rather a common expression of emotional intensity used in various contexts. This may indicate its importance as a means of emotional expression in ancient Greek literature, including the biblical texts.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences across the text
“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 8:12but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 13:42and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:50and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’
Matthew 24:51and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.
Matthew 25:30Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Luke 13:28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside.
Acts 20:37They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,