ταλαίπωρος
talaípōros
G5005 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Suffering distress or enduring hardship; 'wretched,' denoting a state of deep affliction, misery, or pitiful suffering. Used to describe someone experiencing severe adversity, whether physical, emotional, or moral.
Semantic Range
wretched, miserable, enduring suffering, pitifully afflicted, distressed, in a state of hardship or adversity
Root / Etymology
Likely derived from τλάω (to bear, endure, suffer) or its variant base, in combination with πόρος (passage, way) or possibly related to the endurance implied in πειρά (trial, attempt); etymology uncertain. Not actually derived from τάλαντον ('talent, balance') or directly from πέιρα ('trial'), but probably from the verbal root τλ- (to endure, bear).
Historical & Contextual Notes
ταλαίπωρος was used in classical and Hellenistic Greek to characterize individuals marked by suffering, wretchedness, or pitiable misfortune. It often indicated both the physical and psychological experience of trouble—the result of enduring hardships or continuing under adversity. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term intensifies the sense of deep misery or spiritual affliction (e.g., Revelation 3:17, Romans 7:24), with overtones of helpless distress. The word is distinct from related terms like πτωχός ('poor, destitute'), which focus on material poverty, and ἄθλιος ('wretched, pitiful'), which often refers to pitiable struggle or competition. Later English translations usually render ταλαίπωρος as 'wretched,' but this can obscure the broader sense of enduring sustained misfortune or profound inner torment expressed by the Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the base of τάλαντον and a derivative of the base of πεῖρα; enduring trial, i.e. miserable:--wretched.
Root Family
ταλαίπωρος (talaipōros) — to endure, to suffer, to bear hardship, wretched, afflicted
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5005-01 |
ταλαίπωρος | talaiporos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
wretched one | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5005-01 |
Romans 7:24 | ταλαίπωρος | talaiporos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
wretched one | |
G5005-01 |
Revelation 3:17 | ταλαίπωρος | talaiporos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
wretched one |