Introduction
Understanding Greek words is essential for biblical studies as it helps uncover the deeper meanings and nuances within the Scriptures. The Greek word θροέω (throeō) is significant because it conveys a strong emotional reaction, often translated as “to be troubled” or “to be terrified.” This word provides insight into the emotional and psychological states of individuals within the New Testament narratives and can deepen our understanding of how fear, distress, and alarm are expressed in ancient Greek culture and biblical contexts.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: θροέω (throeō) [thro-EH-oh]
- Etymology: The word is derived from a root meaning to cry aloud or to scream, indicating a reaction to a startling or terrifying event.
- Part of Speech: Verb; this word conveys an action of being disturbed, alarmed, or filled with sudden fear.
- Grammatical Details: It is typically used in the present or passive voice, implying that the subject is receiving the action (being troubled or terrified).
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon
Primary Meanings
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- To be troubled: A state of emotional disturbance, agitation, or confusion.
- To be terrified or alarmed: Reacting with intense fear or shock, often in response to an unexpected event.
Similar Words: ταράσσω (tarassō) [ta-RAS-so] is another Greek verb meaning “to trouble” or “to stir up.” While ταράσσω can indicate a more general form of disturbance, θροέω typically involves a more intense emotional response, often associated with fear or panic. The nuance between these two words lies in the severity of the emotional reaction being described.
Further Insights: θροέω is a verb that follows regular conjugation patterns in Greek. It is most often used in the passive voice, emphasizing the state of being troubled rather than actively causing disturbance. Below is a conjugation table showing its present tense forms:
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | θροῶ | θροοῦμεν |
| 2nd Person | θροεῖς | θροεῖτε |
| 3rd Person | θροεῖ | θροοῦσι(ν) |
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Lexicon Insights
- BDAG: Describes θροέω primarily as “to be troubled or alarmed,” often used in contexts where individuals are responding to sudden news or a supernatural event. It is found in passages that depict moments of fear or panic.
- Thayer’s Lexicon: Explores θροέω as “to cry aloud in fear” or “to be terrified,” providing examples where this verb appears in the New Testament, especially in contexts of warning or anticipation of future events.
- Vine’s Expository Dictionary: Explains θροέω as “to be troubled,” noting its use in eschatological settings where fear of the unknown or future calamity is described.
- LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): Discusses θροέω as “to cry out in alarm,” tracing its use back to classical Greek literature, where it often appears in tragic contexts involving sudden terror or emotional upheaval.
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: G2360. Strong’s defines θροέω simply as “to cry out in fear” or “to be disturbed,” with examples that focus on the emotional responses to divine or supernatural revelations.
Related Scripture References
- Matthew 24:6: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled (θροεῖσθε), for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
- Mark 13:7: “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled (θροεῖσθε); for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:2: “That you be not quickly shaken in mind or be troubled (θροεῖσθαι), either by spirit or by word or by letter as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Homer | Iliad | “The hero cried out in fear (θροεῖτο) as the enemy drew near with fury and fire.” |
| Euripides | The Bacchae | “Do not be troubled (θροεῖσθε) by the sudden voices in the dark; they are but illusions of the night.” |
| Herodotus | Histories | “The people were troubled (θροεῖτο) by the ominous signs in the sky, believing them to be from the gods.” |
| Septuagint – Psalms | Septuagint Translation | “My heart is troubled (θροεῖται) within me, and I cry out to You, O Lord, in my distress.” |
| Septuagint – Isaiah | Septuagint Translation | “Fear not, O Zion, and do not be troubled (θροεῖσθε), for the Lord your God is with you.” |
| Septuagint – Jeremiah | Septuagint Translation | “The nations trembled (θροεῖτο) at the word of the Lord, and they turned to their idols for comfort.” |
Summary of θροέω (G2360)
The Greek word θροέω (throeō) means “to be troubled” or “to be alarmed.” It appears in both classical Greek literature and the New Testament to describe moments of sudden fear, terror, or emotional disturbance. The term often carries connotations of a response to unexpected or divine events. In biblical texts, θροέω is used to encourage believers not to be disturbed by wars, rumors, or false teachings. Its usage across various texts demonstrates the human reaction to fear and the call for faith amidst uncertainty. Understanding θροέω provides valuable insights into the psychological states depicted in the Scriptures, deepening our grasp of the emotional and spiritual dynamics at play.
Did You Know?
The word θροέω appears in contexts that encourage calmness and faith in the face of fear. In the New Testament, Jesus often used this word to remind His followers not to be alarmed by future events or troubles, emphasizing a message of trust in God’s sovereign plan. In ancient Greek dramas, θροέω frequently depicted the cry of a character experiencing sudden terror or shock, highlighting the universal nature of fear and the quest for peace.
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