Lexical Definition

‎σφόδρα‎ sphódra (sfod'-rah) very ^G:ADV
neuter plural of (violent

exceeding(-ly), greatly, sore, very.

• of uncertain derivation) as adverb
• vehemently, i.e. in a high degree, much

Abbott-Smith

σφόδρα adv. (prop. neut. of σφοδρός, excessive, violent) [in LXX chiefly for מְאֹד ;]
very, very much, exceedingly: with verbs, Mt 17:6, 23 18:31 19:25 26:22 27:54, Ac 6:7; with adjectives, Mt 2:10, Mk 16:4, Lk 18:23, Re 16:21.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

σφόδρα-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+]; μισόδημον σ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἁλμυρὸν σ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]; κακοδαίμων σ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]; πολλοῦ σ. at a very high price, very dear, [Refs]; πολλοὶ σ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]; χαρὰ μεγάλη σ. [NT]
__I.3 with a substantive, τὴν σ. φιλίαν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τινῶν σ. γυναικῶν very womanish women, [Refs]; τῆς σ. προθυμίας[Refs 4th c.BC+]
__I.4 with other adverbs, ἐπάταξε πῶς οἴει σ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; θαυμαστῶς ὡς σ., ἀμηχάνως ὡς σ., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; μάλα σ. [Refs]; πάνυ σ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πάνυ καὶ σ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οὐ σ. not very much, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__I.5 τὸ σ., ={σφοδρότης}, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__I.6 σφόδραα, σφοδρῶς [LXX]
__II σ. γε or καὶ σ. γε, in answers, strongly affirmative, frequently in [Refs 5th c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Matt.2.10 ☩ LXX.Gen.7.19}