### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun κραυγή (kraugḗ, `{{G2906}}`) derives from the verb κράζω (krazō, `{{G2896}}`), meaning "to cry out, to shriek, to scream." Consequently, κραυγή denotes an intense, loud vocalization, an "outcry." Its semantic range is broad, encompassing various forms of forceful vocal expression. It can signify:
1. **A cry of notification or proclamation:** A loud call to draw attention, alert, or declare something.
2. **A cry of tumult or disorder:** The clamor, shouting, or uproar of a crowd, often indicating confusion, protest, or conflict.
3. **A cry of grief, distress, or anguish:** A wail, lament, or shriek expressing deep sorrow, pain, or suffering.
4. **A cry of anger or hostility:** A shout of rage, antagonism, or aggressive confrontation.
The common thread is the high volume and emotional intensity, distinguishing it from ordinary speech (λαλιά, lalia, `{{G2981}}`) or even a simple voice (φωνή, phōnē, `{{G5456}}`), though it is a powerful form of the latter. κραυγή always implies a strong internal state finding forceful external expression.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κραυγή appears several times in the New Testament, each context illuminating a specific facet of its meaning:
* **Notification/Proclamation:** In the parable of the ten virgins, the sudden appearance of the bridegroom is announced by a κραυγή: "But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'" [[Matthew 25:6]]. This is a clear, urgent proclamation.
* **Tumult/Disorder:** When Paul is on trial before the Sanhedrin, a heated dispute erupts, described as a "great outcry": "Then there was a great outcry, and some of the scribes of the party of the Pharisees stood up and contended sharply, saying, 'We find nothing wrong in this man.'" [[Acts 23:9]]. Here, κραυγή signifies the loud, contentious clamor of a divided assembly.
* **Grief/Distress/Anguish:** Perhaps one of the most profound uses is in reference to Christ: "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence." [[Hebrews 5:7]]. This passage vividly portrays Jesus's intense agony in Gethsemane, where his κραυγή was an expression of profound human anguish and earnest supplication to the Father.
* **Anger/Hostility/Unrighteous Conduct:** Paul explicitly lists κραυγή among the vices to be shunned by believers: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." [[Ephesians 4:31]]. Here, "clamor" (NIV, ESV) or "outcry" (KJV) is associated with disruptive, unholy, and divisive speech, indicating a lack of self-control and charity within the community. This usage underscores its negative potential when born of sinful emotions.
* **Cessation of Suffering:** In the vision of the new heavens and new earth, κραυγή is among the things that will cease to exist: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." [[Revelation 21:4]]. The absence of κραυγή here signifies the complete and final eradication of all suffering, sorrow, and distress in the redeemed creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **κράζω (krazō, `{{G2896}}`):** The verbal root, meaning "to cry out," often used for the cries of animals, demons, or humans in distress or protest. κραυγή is the noun form of this action.
* **φωνή (phōnē, `{{G5456}}`):** A more general term for "voice" or "sound." While κραυγή is a type of φωνή, it specifically denotes a loud, intense, and often emotionally charged sound, whereas φωνή can refer to any vocalization, loud or soft.
* **ἀλαλαγμός (alalagmos, `{{G214}}`):** A war-cry or shout of joy, often a loud, unarticulated sound. While sharing the intensity, κραυγή often implies more specific emotional content.
* **θρῆνος (thrēnos, `{{G2355}}`):** A lamentation or wailing, specifically referring to the expression of grief. While κραυγή can express grief, it has a broader range.
* **Concepts:** The word relates to human emotion, communication, conflict, and the eschatological hope for a world free from pain. It highlights the intensity of human experience in both its fallen and redeemed states.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κραυγή is multifaceted, touching upon humanity's fallen state, Christ's perfect humanity, and the ultimate hope of redemption.
1. **Humanity's Brokenness:** The negative use of κραυγή in [[Ephesians 4:31]] reveals a significant aspect of human sinfulness. When κραυγή arises from bitterness, wrath, or anger, it represents disruptive, unholy communication that damages community and grieves the Holy Spirit. It is a manifestation of the disorder and strife inherent in a world alienated from God's peace.
2. **Christ's Perfect Humanity and Prayer:** The "loud cries" of Jesus in [[Hebrews 5:7]] are profoundly significant. They underscore the reality of Christ's full humanity and his empathetic identification with human suffering. His κραυγή in Gethsemane was not a sign of weakness or doubt, but of the intense spiritual and physical agony he endured in perfect obedience to the Father's will. This sanctifies the act of crying out to God in deepest distress, demonstrating that even in our most profound anguish, we can approach God with earnest supplication, as Christ did.
3. **The Consummation of Redemption:** The promise in [[Revelation 21:4]] that "nor crying" (κραυγή) will be anymore is a powerful depiction of the perfected state of the new heavens and new earth. It signifies the complete eradication of all sources of pain, sorrow, and emotional distress that cause such outcries in this present age. The absence of κραυγή points to a future of perfect peace, joy, and unbroken communion with God, where all the effects of sin and suffering have been finally and utterly removed.
### Summary
κραυγή (kraugḗ, `{{G2906}}`) signifies a loud, intense outcry, drawing its meaning from the verb "to cry out." Its semantic range extends from urgent notification and tumultuous clamor to profound grief and unrighteous anger. In the New Testament, κραυγή vividly portrays the fallen state of humanity, marked by strife and sorrow, as seen in the negative injunctions of [[Ephesians 4:31]]. Yet, it also illuminates the depths of Christ's human anguish and earnest prayer in Gethsemane ([[Hebrews 5:7]]), thereby sanctifying the act of crying out to God in desperation. Ultimately, the absence of κραυγή in the new creation ([[Revelation 21:4]]) points to the glorious eschatological hope: a world utterly free from pain, sorrow, and all forms of distress, perfectly reconciled to God. Thus, κραυγή serves as a poignant reminder of both the brokenness of the present age and the blessed promise of eternal peace.
TRV