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στενοχωρία

stenochōría

G4730 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A condition or state of severe constraint, especially emotional, psychological, or physical; a compressed or pressured situation. The term primarily conveys the sense of being in a space or situation that is narrow or restrictive, giving rise to distress, anxiety, or hardship. In various contexts, it may refer to affliction, tribulation, or hardship resulting from oppressive circumstances, both literal (spatial constraint) and figurative (emotional or existential pressure).

Semantic Range

narrowness, confinement, severe constraint, affliction, distress, anxiety, anguish, hardship, calamitous circumstance, oppressive situation

Root / Etymology

Compounded from στενός ('narrow, confined') and χώρα ('space, region'), thus literally meaning 'narrow space.' The two elements combine to convey the idea of confinement or being hemmed in.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, στενοχωρία is rare and often used literally for physical confinement or a narrow space. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, its usage shifts strongly toward the metaphorical, describing severe distress, affliction, or anxiety resulting from pressure, hardship, or adverse circumstances. Septuagint usage frequently reflects situations of oppressive trouble or calamity, often paralleling Hebrew terms for distress or anguish. In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 2:9; 2 Corinthians 6:4), it regularly bears the sense of existential or eschatological distress—anguish experienced under affliction or testing. English translations often render the word as 'anguish,' 'distress,' or 'trouble,' but these may underrepresent the metaphorical root in spatial, constrictive imagery. The semantic field overlaps with θλῖψις (tribulation, affliction), but στενοχωρία more vividly conveys the sensation of being constricted or hemmed in by one's circumstances. Its use in Pauline epistles positions it among terms describing hardships endured by communities or individuals facing external or internal crisis.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of στενός and χώρα; narrowness of room, i.e. (figuratively) calamity:--anguish, distress.

Root Family

στενοχωρία (stenochōria) — narrowness, confinement, severe constraint, affliction, distress

Root στενοχωρ- to be narrow, to confine, to press in

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4730-01 στενοχωρία stenochoria N NOM F SG distress pressing confinement pressing confinement 2
G4730-02 στενοχωρίαις stenochoriais N DAT F PL difficulties in oppressive confinements in oppressive confinements 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4730-01 Romans 2:9 στενοχωρία stenochoria N NOM F SG distress pressing confinement pressing confinement
G4730-01 Romans 8:35 στενοχωρία stenochoria N NOM F SG distress pressing confinement pressing confinement
G4730-02 2 Corinthians 6:4 στενοχωρίαις stenochoriais N DAT F PL distresses in oppressive confinements in oppressive confinements
G4730-02 2 Corinthians 12:10 στενοχωρίαις stenochoriais N DAT F PL difficulties in oppressive confinements oppressive confinements
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