ὑπερεν-τυγχάνω G5241
To intercede, plead on behalf of another; to make petition for someone's benefit
This compound verb intensifies the basic meaning of intercession—literally 'to meet with on behalf of.' Romans 8:26 uses it to describe the Holy Spirit's intercessory work, groaning on our behalf when we don't know how to pray. The Spirit doesn't just pray alongside us but advocates for us, pleading our case before the Father with divine insight into our true needs. The consistent cross-linguistic rendering is 'intercede' or equivalent.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In Rom 8:26, Paul teaches that 'the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.' The verb emphasizes the Spirit's advocacy role—He doesn't merely accompany our prayers but pleads on our behalf (Spanish 'intercede,' French 'intercéder,' German 'Fürbitte einlegen'). The context describes the Spirit compensating for our weakness and ignorance in prayer, stepping in to advocate for what we truly need even when we cannot articulate it. This is divine intercession within the believer's heart. 1×
AR["يَشْفَعُ"]·ben["মধ্যস্থতা-করে"]·DE["Fuerbitte-einlegen"]·EN["intercedes"]·FR["intercéder"]·heb["מַפְגִּיעַ"]·HI["निवेदन-करता-है"]·ID["berdoa-syafaat,"]·IT["intercedere"]·jav["nyuwunaken"]·KO["대신-기도하시니"]·PT["intercede,"]·ES["intercede"]·SW["anaombea"]·TR["şefaat-ediyor"]·urd["سفارش-کرتی-ہے"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ὑπερεν-τυγχάνω, intercede, (i.e. ὑπέρ τινος) for one, NT