Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for capturing the depth and nuance of the original texts. The Greek verb ἐμβριμάομαι (embrimáomai) is one such word that carries significant weight in the New Testament. This term is often associated with strong emotions, such as indignation, sternness, or deep inner feelings. Its usage in key passages provides insight into the emotional intensity behind Jesus’ actions and responses, which are sometimes softened in translation. Exploring ἐμβριμάομαι offers a deeper understanding of these moments and their implications for New Testament interpretation, as well as shedding light on how ancient Greeks expressed and understood powerful emotions.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἐμβριμάομαι (embrimáomai) [em-bree-MAH-oh-my]
• Etymology: Derived from the preposition ἐν (en), meaning “in,” and the verb βριμάομαι (brimáomai), which means “to be indignant” or “to express strong emotion.” The compound form intensifies the meaning, suggesting a powerful internal emotion or stern warning.
• Part of Speech: Verb (Deponent, middle/passive voice).
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To Express Strong Emotion: The primary meaning of ἐμβριμάομαι is to express strong internal emotion, often conveyed as indignation, sternness, or deep concern.
• To Sternly Warn or Rebuke: In several New Testament contexts, the word is used to describe Jesus sternly warning or rebuking others, indicating a deep seriousness or urgency in his tone.
• To Groan or Be Deeply Moved: The word can also imply a deep inner groaning or being moved by intense feelings, reflecting the emotional depth of the subject.

Similar Words:

• βριμάομαι (brimáomai) [bree-MAH-oh-my]: This is the root verb, meaning “to be indignant” or “to express strong emotion.” It lacks the compounded intensity of ἐμβριμάομαι but conveys a similar sense of strong internal feeling.
• ἀγανακτέω (aganaktéō) [ah-gah-nak-TEH-oh]: Meaning “to be indignant” or “to be displeased,” this word also conveys a sense of strong emotion but is often used in the context of anger or frustration, without the depth of internalized emotion that ἐμβριμάομαι suggests.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: ἐμβριμάομαι is a deponent verb, meaning it is middle or passive in form but active in meaning. This reflects the internal nature of the emotion, indicating that the subject is deeply affected within themselves, yet it manifests in an outward expression.
• Linguistic Features: The prefix ἐν (en) in combination with βριμάομαι (brimáomai) suggests that the emotion is not just felt but deeply internalized, almost as if the subject is “brimming over” with the intensity of the feeling. This is why the term is often associated with stern warnings or deep groaning.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
The BDAG lexicon describes ἐμβριμάομαι as “to express indignant displeasure, to scold, or to warn sternly.” It emphasizes the strong emotional charge of the word, particularly in the contexts where Jesus uses it.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon notes that the word often conveys a sense of groaning or deep inner emotion, which is not always visible but strongly felt, giving insight into the moments where Jesus is deeply moved by compassion or righteous anger.

Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary explains that ἐμβριμάομαι reflects both the inward feeling and the outward expression of intense emotion, highlighting its usage in passages where Jesus responds to suffering or disbelief with profound feeling.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon includes references to ἐμβριμάομαι in classical literature, where it often denotes a physical manifestation of deep emotion, such as groaning or a stern rebuke, emphasizing the depth and seriousness of the emotion involved.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance lists ἐμβριμάομαι as meaning “to snort with anger,” “to be moved with indignation,” or “to sternly admonish,” reflecting the intense and sometimes overwhelming nature of the emotion it describes.

Scripture References

• Mark 1:43 – “And Jesus sternly charged (ἐμβριμάομαι) him and sent him away at once.”
• John 11:33 – “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved (ἐμβριμάομαι) in his spirit and greatly troubled.”
• John 11:38 – “Then Jesus, deeply moved again (ἐμβριμάομαι), came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐμβριμάομαι (G1690: embrimáomai)

The Greek verb ἐμβριμάομαι (embrimáomai) is a profound term that conveys intense internal emotion, often expressed as sternness, deep groaning, or a stern rebuke. It appears in crucial New Testament passages where Jesus displays deep emotional responses to various situations, from righteous indignation to compassionate sorrow. Understanding this word allows for a deeper appreciation of the emotional depth in these moments and how they contribute to the overall message of the Gospel.

Did You Know?

The word ἐμβριμάομαι is often associated with Jesus’ responses in emotionally charged situations. For instance, when Jesus approaches the tomb of Lazarus, the use of ἐμβριμάομαι implies a deep, almost overwhelming emotion that goes beyond mere sadness, reflecting his profound connection to human suffering and the seriousness of the moment.