Strong’s Greek 2906 occurs six times in the New Testament and gathers a range of meanings from jubilant acclamation to anguished wailing. Each setting highlights an intense, audible outburst that cannot be ignored, whether voiced by a bridal party, a rejoicing relative, contentious opponents, restless congregants, a suffering Savior, or the redeemed creation. These occurrences form a tapestry that traces human emotion from earth’s brokenness to the consummated kingdom where such cries are forever stilled.

Old Testament and Intertestamental Background

In the Septuagint the term frequently renders Hebrew words for loud shouting in battle (for example, Joshua 6:5), public lament (Isaiah 15:2), or festival praise (Psalm 33:3). The shared thread is public volume: the heart spills over audibly before God and neighbor. By the first century, the word could denote any impassioned clamor, whether celebratory or hostile.

New Testament Usage

1. Bridal Announcement – Matthew 25:6

“At midnight a cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’”. The cry awakens drowsy virgins, separating the prepared from the negligent. The Lord’s parable places the decisive moment in a shout that brooks no delay, urging perpetual readiness for Christ’s return.

2. Joyful Exultation – Luke 1:42

“Elizabeth cried out in a loud voice, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’”. Here the cry expresses Spirit-filled wonder at the Incarnation’s dawn. The word thus frames Advent with audible adoration, linking prophetic fulfillment to heartfelt praise.

3. Legal Tumult – Acts 23:9

“A great uproar broke out, and some of the scribes of the party of the Pharisees got up and contended sharply, saying, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man…’”. The courtroom scene is dominated by clamor rather than reason, illustrating how truth is often drowned by factional noise—a warning against substituting volume for substance.

4. Congregational Vice – Ephesians 4:31

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, outcry, and slander, along with every form of malice.”. Paul classifies such outbursts among works of the flesh that disrupt unity. In the Spirit-filled community, the cry of hostility yields to kindness, forgiveness, and constructive speech.

5. Eternal Consolation – Revelation 21:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”. The consummation silences every echo of humanity’s anguish, contrasting the transient sorrows of history with the abiding peace of the new heavens and earth.

6. Priestly Agony – Hebrews 5:7

“During the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.”. The Son’s vocal anguish sanctifies human lament, demonstrating that earnest, audible supplication finds receptive ears in the Father.

Theological Significance

• Watchfulness and Urgency: The midnight cry of Matthew 25 underscores eschatological alertness. The church must heed the annunciation before the door shuts.

• Spirit-Filled Praise: Elizabeth’s shout reveals that Spirit-prompted speech may be loud yet holy, dignifying strong emotion as a vehicle for truth.

• Clamor Versus Conviction: Acts 23:9 and Ephesians 4:31 distinguish righteous boldness from unrighteous clamor. Volume alone does not validate a position; godly speech is marked by truth and grace.

• Ministerial Imitation of Christ: Hebrews 5:7 commends fervent prayer, including audible groans, as a legitimate expression of dependence. Pastors and believers may cry aloud to God without shame.

• Eschatological Comfort: Revelation 21:4 frames all present cries within the sure promise of their eventual cessation. Suffering has an expiration date; praise does not.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Corporate Worship: Music and liturgy may incorporate moments for audible rejoicing (Luke 1:42) and lament (Hebrews 5:7), teaching congregations to present every emotion to God.

2. Pastoral Care: Encouraging believers to voice grief counters the stigma that equates loud sorrow with weak faith. Christ’s own cries legitimize raw honesty before the Father.

3. Conflict Resolution: Elders should address any “outcry” that corrodes fellowship (Ephesians 4:31), steering disputants toward repentance and mutual forgiveness.

4. Evangelism and Eschatology: The midnight cry motif provides a vivid illustration for gospel proclamation—now is the accepted time; apathy is perilous.

5. Counseling the Bereaved: Revelation 21:4 offers concrete hope. Ministers can remind mourners that every cry has an appointment with divine consolation.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 2906 unites expressions of joy, pain, urgency, and strife under a single term that always demands attention. Scripture charts its trajectory from creation’s groans to creation’s glory, inviting believers to cry out in faith today while anticipating the silence of perfect peace tomorrow.