Word Study for G4697 (σπλαγχνίζομαι)

splanchnízomai /splangkh-nid'-zom-ahee/ Ask about this word

Meaningmiddle voice from σπλάγχνον; to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity

KJV usagehave (be moved with) compassion.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of splanchnízomai — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word splanchnízomai, represented by G4697, describes a deep, visceral feeling of pity. Derived from a word for the bowels, its base definition is "to have the bowels yearn," and it is used figuratively to feel sympathy or to have (be moved with) compassion. It appears 12 times across 12 unique verses in the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4697 is frequently used to describe the motivation behind Jesus's actions. He was moved with compassion for the multitudes because they were like sheep G4263 without a shepherd G4166, which led Him to teach them (Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34). This same compassion moved Him to heal G2323 the sick Matthew 14:14 and to provide food for the hungry Matthew 15:32. The word is also central to parables that illustrate godly character, such as the father G3962 who had compassion on his returning son Luke 15:20 and the lord G2962 who forgave his servant's debt G1156 after being moved with compassion Matthew 18:27.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words highlight the cause and effect of this deep compassion:

G4166 poimḗn (a shepherd): The state of being without a shepherd is a primary reason for Jesus being moved with compassion for the multitudes, who were like sheep scattered and fainting Matthew 9:36.
G2323 therapeúō (to relieve (of disease)): This action of healing is a direct result of compassion. When Jesus saw the great multitude, He was moved with compassion and healed their sick Matthew 14:14.
G863 aphíēmi (to send forth, in various applications (as follow)): In the parable of the unmerciful servant, the lord's compassion is expressed when he forgave the man's debt Matthew 18:27.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4697 demonstrates that true compassion is an active, divine quality.

A Divine Motivator: This compassion is shown as a primary motivator for Jesus's ministry. It is His response to seeing human suffering, whether physical or spiritual. He had compassion on a grieving widow and told her not to weep Luke 7:13, and He was moved with compassion before healing two blind men Matthew 20:34.
Action-Oriented Pity: In every instance, being "moved with compassion" is immediately followed by a merciful action. It is never a passive feeling. The Samaritan had compassion and then came to the man's aid Luke 10:33. Jesus felt compassion and then put forth G1614 His hand to touch and cleanse a leper Mark 1:41.
The Heart of Forgiveness: Compassion is presented as the foundation of forgiveness. In a parable, a lord was moved with compassion and chose to forgive an enormous debt G1156 owed by his servant G1401 Matthew 18:27. Likewise, the father's compassion for his son precedes the celebration and restoration Luke 15:20.

Summary

In summary, G4697 is more than a simple word for pity; it signifies a profound, heartfelt response to need that mirrors the character of God. It is a compassion that sees, feels, and acts. Whether expressed by Jesus toward the lost and sick, or by characters in parables who represent divine mercy, this word consistently links a deep internal feeling with external acts of teaching, healing, forgiving, and restoring.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 12 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Passive Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 6×
Aorist Passive Deponent Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 4×
Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 1st Singular 2×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Passive Deponent: Passive in form but active in meaning.
Middle Or Passive: Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 12 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Matthew (5 verses); never once in the other 24.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.