σφόδρ-ᾰ G4970
Exceedingly, very much, greatly — an intensive adverb amplifying the force of verbs, adjectives, and emotions
The adverb σφόδρα (sphodra) functions as an intensifier meaning 'exceedingly, very much, greatly.' In Matthew's Gospel especially, it heightens the emotional register of key moments: the magi rejoiced 'exceedingly' at seeing the star (Matt 2:10), the disciples fell on their faces 'greatly afraid' at the Transfiguration (Matt 17:6), they were 'exceedingly sorrowful' at the prediction of betrayal (Matt 17:23; 26:22), and the centurion was 'exceedingly afraid' at the earthquake during the crucifixion (Matt 27:54). Other uses include the fellow servants' deep distress over the unforgiving debtor (Matt 18:31) and the disciples' astonishment at Jesus' teaching on wealth (Matt 19:25). Spanish 'en gran manera/mucho' and German 'sehr/überaus' reflect the same amplifying function.
Senses
1. sense 1 — An intensive adverb meaning 'exceedingly, very much, greatly' — amplifying the force of emotions, reactions, and states. Matthew favors it for dramatic moments: the magi's exceeding joy (Matt 2:10), the disciples' terror at the Transfiguration (Matt 17:6), their deep sorrow at betrayal predictions (Matt 17:23; 26:22), astonishment at the teaching on riches (Matt 19:25), the servants' distress in the parable (Matt 18:31), and the centurion's fear at the crucifixion earthquake (Matt 27:54). Also appears in Luke 18:23 and Acts 6:7 and Revelation 16:21. Spanish 'en gran manera,' Hindi 'bahut,' and Korean 'maeu' all serve as equivalent intensifiers. 11×
AR["جِدًّا"]·ben["অতিশয়", "অতিশয়।", "অত্যন্ত"]·DE["sehr"]·EN["deeply", "exceedingly", "extremely", "great", "greatly"]·FR["extrêmement", "sehr", "très"]·heb["מְאֹד"]·HI["अत्यन्त", "बहुत"]·ID["sangat", "sangat.", "sangat;"]·IT["molto"]·jav["sanget", "sanget,", "sanget.", "sanget;"]·KO["매우", "심히", "크게"]·PT["extremamente", "grandemente", "muito", "muito,"]·RU["весьма", "весьма,", "весьма.", "очень"]·ES["en-extremo", "en-gran-manera", "grandemente", "mucho", "muy"]·SW["sana", "sana.", "wakisema"]·TR["aşırı-derecede", "çok"]·urd["بہت", "بہُت"]
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
σφόδρ-ᾰ, adverb, properly neuter plural of σφοδρός, very much, exceedingly: __I with Verbs, ἐμήδιζον γὰρ σ. Refs 5th c.BC+; καὶ σ. πείθει persuades them too well, Refs; σ. λέγειν with vehemence, Refs 5th c.BC+; σ. κολάζειν severely, Refs 5th c.BC+; σ. ὁρίσασθαι exactly, Refs 5th c.BC+; σ. χαίρω I am exceedingly glad, Refs 3rd c.AD+ __I.2 with adjectives, σ. ὑπέρτεροι far superior, Refs 5th c.BC+;…