ἐπιπόθ-ησις G1972
longing, yearning, or earnest desire; deep affection and intense desire for someone or something
This noun expresses intense longing or yearning for someone or something. Paul uses it twice in 2 Corinthians 7, describing the Corinthian believers' earnest longing for him after receiving his severe letter. The Spanish 'anhelo' (longing, yearning) and French 'désir' (desire) both capture the emotional intensity. In verse 7, their 'longing' for Paul encouraged him. In verse 11, their godly sorrow produced earnest desire—a fervent longing to set things right. The word emphasizes strong affection and the pain of absence or unfulfilled desire.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Spanish 'anhelo' (yearning) and French 'désir' (desire) both convey strong emotional longing. In 2 Corinthians 7:7, Paul writes of the Corinthians' 'longing' for him—their affection and desire for his presence, which encouraged him greatly. In verse 11, their godly grief produced 'earnest desire'—a fervent longing to make things right, to restore relationship. The word appears in Paul's discussion of reconciliation after conflict, where absence and broken fellowship intensify the longing for restored communion. The noun's emotional intensity distinguishes it from simple wanting—it's the ache of affection separated from its object. 2×
AR["شَوقًا", "شَوقَكُمْ"]·ben["আকাঙ্ক্ষা,"]·DE["Verlangen"]·EN["longing"]·FR["désir"]·heb["כִּסְפוּנוֹת"]·HI["लालसा"]·ID["kerinduan"]·IT["desiderio"]·jav["kepengin-sanget"]·KO["사모함을"]·PT["ardente-desejo"]·RU["тоску"]·ES["anhelo"]·SW["shauku,"]·TR["ama-", "o-"]·urd["اشتیاق"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐπιπόθ-ησις, εως, ἡ, longing after, τινός NT+2nd c.AD+