Pronunciation Guide: day-NOCE (with emphasis on the second syllable)
Basic Definition
Strong’s G1171: The Greek adverb δεινῶς (deinōs) conveys the intensity of a condition or action, particularly relating to severe physical suffering or distress. In its New Testament context, it describes the grievous torment of illness or affliction that moves one to compassion. The word communicates not merely discomfort but an overwhelming, terrible state that demands attention and mercy.
Etymology and Morphology
- Part of speech: Adverb
- Derived from the adjective δεινός (deinos), meaning “terrible,” “dreadful,” or “fearful”
- Used primarily in narrative contexts to emphasize the severity of suffering
- Appears in medical descriptions and contexts of distress
- Functions to intensify the meaning of verbs it modifies
δεινῶς Morphology:
- δεινός (deinos) – adjective masculine nominative singular – terrible, dreadful
- δεινόν (deinon) – adjective neuter nominative singular – terrible thing
- δεινῶς (deinōs) – adverb – terribly, grievously, severely
Origin & History
The root δεινός (deinos) has a fascinating journey through Greek language and culture. In classical Greek literature, particularly in the works of Homer and the tragic playwrights, δεινός carried the meaning of “fearful” or “terrible” but also connoted a sense of awe or wonder at something extraordinary. Sophocles, in his tragedy “Antigone,” famously used the term in his “Ode to Man” (πολλὰ τὰ δεινὰ – “many are the wonders/terrors”), expressing the dual nature of human capabilities – both wonderful and terrible.
In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, forms of δεινός appear in contexts of severe suffering and divine judgment. The historian Josephus employed the term when describing particularly grievous afflictions or terrible circumstances. By the time of the New Testament, δεινῶς had settled into its usage as an intensifier that emphasized the severity of suffering, particularly in contexts where compassion or healing would be appropriate responses.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- Grievously or severely suffering, especially in a physical sense
- Terribly afflicted to the point of eliciting compassion
- Dreadfully tormented by illness or pain
- Intensely experiencing a negative condition
δεινῶς Translation Options:
- “Terribly” – Captures the intensity and severity while maintaining connection to the root meaning of causing terror or dread
- “Grievously” – Emphasizes the sorrowful nature of the suffering being described, eliciting empathy
- “Severely” – Clinically accurate but misses some of the emotional weight carried by the term
- “Dreadfully” – Retains the connection to fear and the overwhelming nature of the condition
- “Miserably” – Highlights the pitiable state of the sufferer, emphasizing the need for compassion
Biblical Usage
In the New Testament, δεινῶς appears only twice, but both occurrences are significant in revealing the Messiah’s compassion toward terrible suffering. The first appearance is in Matthew 8:6, where the centurion describes his paralyzed servant who is “grievously tormented” (δεινῶς βασανιζόμενος). This intense suffering prompts the centurion to seek Yeshua’s help, despite being a Gentile approaching a Jewish teacher. The severity conveyed by δεινῶς underscores the desperate situation that drives this Roman officer to humble himself before Yeshua.
The second occurrence is found in Luke 11:53, where it takes on a different shade of meaning. Here, the scribes and Pharisees began to “vehemently” (δεινῶς) oppose Yeshua and question Him about many things. The word conveys the intense hostility directed toward the Messiah, showing how δεινῶς can intensify both suffering and action. This usage reveals how language that typically describes physical pain can also portray the violence of opposition to divine truth.
- “And saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully [δεινῶς] tormented.’” Matthew 8:6
- “And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently [δεινῶς] and to cross-examine Him about many things.” Luke 11:53
Cultural Insights
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, extreme suffering like that described by δεινῶς was often viewed in connection with divine punishment or spiritual forces. The centurion’s approach to Yeshua in Matthew 8:6 is particularly noteworthy because it crosses significant cultural and religious boundaries. Romans typically sought healing from their own gods or physicians, not Jewish teachers. The use of δεινῶς indicates a level of suffering so severe that it prompted this military leader to set aside cultural pride and status to seek help from someone his society would consider inferior.
Medical writers of the ancient world, including Hippocrates and later Galen, used δεινῶς when describing particularly severe symptoms or conditions that signaled a grave prognosis. When the centurion describes his servant’s condition with this term, he is essentially communicating to Yeshua that conventional medicine and treatments had likely been exhausted. The condition was not merely uncomfortable but had reached a critical stage where divine intervention seemed the only hope. This cultural context enhances our understanding of why Yeshua’s willingness to heal the servant would have been so remarkable to the original audience.
Theological Significance
The appearance of δεινῶς in Matthew 8:6 offers profound theological insights into both human suffering and divine compassion. The severity of suffering described creates the backdrop against which Messiah’s mercy shines more brightly. When confronted with δεινῶς-level affliction, Yeshua doesn’t minimize the pain or suggest it has hidden benefits—He acts decisively to bring healing. This reveals a God who is moved by human suffering rather than distant from it.
The centurion’s recognition of Yeshua’s authority over such severe torment points to the Messiah’s divine nature. In Jewish understanding, only יהוה (Yahweh) had ultimate power over life, death, and severe affliction. By acknowledging Yeshua’s authority to heal with just a word from a distance, the centurion demonstrates greater faith than many in Israel. This narrative reveals how extreme suffering (δεινῶς) can become the very context in which divine authority is recognized and faith is born. What begins as a story of terrible affliction transforms into a testimony of God’s power and compassion extending beyond cultural and religious boundaries.
Personal Application
When we encounter the word δεινῶς in Scripture, we are invited to reflect on how we respond to severe suffering, both our own and others’. The centurion’s example teaches us that pride and cultural barriers should never prevent us from seeking the Messiah’s help in times of desperate need. No suffering is too severe for His attention, and no person too unworthy of His compassion.
For those who are experiencing their own season of δεινῶς—torment that feels unbearable—this word study offers hope that such suffering can become the very circumstance that drives us deeper into relationship with the Messiah. Just as the centurion’s servant received healing through another’s faith and advocacy, we too can find comfort in knowing others can stand in the gap for us when our own strength fails. Our moments of most intense suffering may become, paradoxically, the backdrop for experiencing God’s most profound compassion.
Related Words
- βασανίζω (basanizō) [bah-sah-NEE-zoh] – To torment, torture, or test severely; often paired with δεινῶς to emphasize extreme suffering. Unlike δεινῶς which describes intensity, this word focuses on the action causing pain. See G928
- ὀδυνάω (odynao) [oh-doo-NAH-oh] – To cause intense pain or distress, often used of emotional rather than physical suffering. While δεινῶς typically describes visible physical torment, ὀδυνάω can describe inner anguish. See G3600
- σφόδρα (sphodra) [SFOH-drah] – Exceedingly, greatly, very much; another intensifier but without the specific connotation of suffering found in δεινῶς. See G4970
- κακῶς (kakōs) [kah-KOCE] – Badly, severely, especially regarding illness; similar to δεινῶς but focused more on the harmful quality than the terrifying intensity. See G2560
- δειλιάω (deiliao) [day-lee-AH-oh] – To be fearful or cowardly; shares the root with δεινῶς but focuses on the response to terrifying circumstances rather than their intensity. See G1168
Did you Know?
- The same root that gives us δεινῶς (deinōs) ultimately led to our English word “dinosaur,” which literally means “terrible lizard.” The paleontologists who coined the term in the 1840s were drawing on the Greek δεινός (deinos) to describe these creatures as fearfully great or terribly powerful, capturing something of the awe and dread evoked by the original Greek term.
- In ancient medical texts, a condition described as δεινῶς afflicting someone was often considered life-threatening. When the centurion uses this term to describe his servant’s condition, he’s essentially communicating a medical emergency. This adds significance to Yeshua’s immediate willingness to go to the centurion’s house—He recognized the urgency conveyed by this specific word.
- The term δεινός (deinos) from which δεινῶς derives had a fascinating dual meaning in classical Greek, simultaneously conveying both “terrible” and “wonderful”—similar to how we might use “awesome” today to describe something that inspires both fear and admiration. This duality reminds us that what appears terribly painful can sometimes reveal wonderful aspects of God’s character and power.
Remember This
δεινῶς reminds us that our moments of most excruciating suffering are precisely the moments when the Messiah’s compassion and power can be most profoundly revealed.
