In the biblical context, "groanings" often refer to deep, inexpressible expressions of distress, longing, or spiritual travail. These groanings can be both physical and spiritual, reflecting the human condition in a fallen world and the yearning for divine intervention and redemption.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, groanings are frequently associated with the suffering and oppression of God's people. For instance, in Exodus 2:23-24 , the Israelites groan under the harsh bondage of Egypt: "After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned because of their difficult labor, and they cried out, and their cry for help because of the difficult labor ascended to God. God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Here, groaning is a cry for deliverance, and it moves God to act on behalf of His covenant people.

The Psalms also capture the groanings of individuals in times of personal distress. Psalm 6:6 states, "I am weary from my groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears." This verse illustrates the deep emotional and spiritual anguish that can accompany life's trials.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, groanings take on a more profound spiritual dimension. Romans 8:22-23 speaks of creation itself groaning: "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 anticipation of future glory and the ultimate redemption that believers await.

Furthermore, Romans 8:26 highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in interceding for believers with groanings: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." This passage underscores the intimate involvement of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, providing comfort and guidance even when words fail.

Theological Implications

Groanings in the Bible often signify a deep, heartfelt communication with God, whether it be a cry for help, an expression of suffering, or a longing for divine intervention. They reflect the tension between the present suffering and the future hope that characterizes the Christian experience. The groanings of creation and believers alike point to the ultimate restoration and fulfillment of God's promises.

In a broader theological sense, groanings remind believers of their dependence on God and the Holy Spirit's active role in their lives. They serve as a reminder of the brokenness of the world and the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.4726. stenagmos -- a groaning
... See 4727 (). Word Origin from stenazo Definition a groaning NASB Word Usage groanings
(1), groans (1). groaning. From stenazo; a sigh -- groaning. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4726.htm - 6k5009. neaqah -- a groan, groaning
... Word Origin from naaq Definition a groan, groaning NASB Word Usage groaning (3),
groanings (1). groaning. From na'aq; a groan -- groaning. see HEBREW na'aq. ...
/hebrew/5009.htm - 6k

The Interceding Spirit
... ROMANS THE INTERCEDING SPIRIT. 'The Spirit itself maketh intercession for
us with groanings which cannot be uttered.'"Romans 8:26. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the interceding spirit.htm

The Holy Spirit Our Helper in Prayer
... The Holy Spirit reveals them to us perpetually. "The Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the reality of prayer/xiv the holy spirit our.htm

The Source of Power in Prayer.
... also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot ...
/.../murray/the masters indwelling/xii the source of power.htm

The Spirit of Supplication
... "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmity; for we know not how to pray as we ought:
but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter x the spirit of.htm

The Objection Has Been Made, that the Words of St. ...
... answer that Spirit is often put for the grace of the Spirit, as the Apostle also
said: "For the Spirit Himself intercedeth for us with groanings which cannot ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi the objection has.htm

In what Sense the Holy Spirit Solicits for Us, Crying, Abba ...
... especially since "we know not what to pray for as we ought," says the apostle,
"but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 64 in what sense the.htm

Both Things are Specially Worthy of Notice. ...
... For seeing "we know not what we should pray for as we ought," "the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom.8:26 ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 5 both things are.htm

Psalm XXXI.
... "And my years in groanings." The time that I pass in this world is not taken
away from me by death, but abides, and is spent in groanings. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxi.htm

That God May be all in All.
... that?" Yes, in this way: Let the Holy Spirit dwell in you; let the Holy Spirit burn
in you as a fire, and burn in you with unutterable groanings, crying unto ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/iii that god may be.htm

The Prayer of the Regenerated.
... Spirit helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which can ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xlii the prayer of the.htm

Groanings (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Groanings (4 Occurrences). ... But the Spirit himself makes
intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered. ...
/g/groanings.htm - 7k

Groans (9 Occurrences)
... for, what we may pray for, as it behoveth 'us', we have not known, but the Spirit
himself doth make intercession for us with groanings unutterable, (See NIV). ...
/g/groans.htm - 8k

Groaning (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Job 3:24 For my sighing comes before I eat.
My groanings are poured out like water. (Root in WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV). ...
/g/groaning.htm - 14k

Vexed (37 Occurrences)
... with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days
of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of ...
/v/vexed.htm - 16k

Uttered (60 Occurrences)
... we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings
which can't be uttered. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS). 1 Corinthians ...
/u/uttered.htm - 23k

Unutterable (3 Occurrences)
... for, what we may pray for, as it behoveth 'us', we have not known, but the Spirit
himself doth make intercession for us with groanings unutterable, (YLT). ...
/u/unutterable.htm - 7k

Joins (8 Occurrences)
... also its help to our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as is
fitting, but the Spirit itself makes intercession with groanings which cannot ...
/j/joins.htm - 8k

Weakness (25 Occurrences)
... ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which
can't be uttered. (Root in WEB WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/weakness.htm - 14k

Weaknesses (7 Occurrences)
... pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with
groanings which can't be uttered. (WEB YLT). Romans 15:1 ...
/w/weaknesses.htm - 8k

Waters (386 Occurrences)
... Stolen waters are sweet" (Proverbs 9:17); of that which is poured out abundantly,
blood (Psalm 79:3), wrath (Hosea 5:10), justice (Amos 5:24), groanings (Job 3 ...
/w/waters.htm - 42k

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