Sacred Peace: ταράσσω (Strong’s G5015: tarassō) Reveals Divine Calm
Strong’s G5015: A verb meaning “to trouble, disturb, agitate,” ταράσσω describes both physical and emotional disturbance. In the New Testament, it often appears in contexts where divine intervention brings peace to troubled situations and hearts.
U- Unveiling the Word
ταράσσω represents profound disturbance, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This versatile verb appears in contexts ranging from troubled waters to agitated hearts, revealing how disturbance manifests in both external and internal realms. In its New Testament usage, it often appears at pivotal moments when human agitation meets divine peace, particularly in John’s Gospel where Jesus addresses troubled hearts. The early church recognized this term as expressing the deep human need for divine peace amid life’s turbulence. Today, it continues to illustrate the contrast between worldly turmoil and the peace that the Messiah offers.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: ταράσσω, tarassō, /ta-RAS-so/
- Phonetic Guide: “ta” as in “father,” “ras” as in “Ross,” “so” as in “so”
- Part of Speech: Verb
Etymology:
- From ταραχή (tarachē) – “disturbance, trouble”
- Related to Proto-Indo-European *ters- meaning “to shake”
D – Defining Meanings
- To trouble
- To disturb
- To agitate
For compound words:
Not a compound word, but a primary verb
Translation Options:
- Trouble – emphasizes emotional impact
- Disturb – highlights disruption of peace
- Agitate – captures physical movement aspect
E – Exploring Similar Words
- ταραχή (tarachē) /ta-ra-KHAY/ – “disturbance” as noun
See G5016 - θορυβέω (thorubeō) /tho-ru-BEH-o/ – “to make noise, disturb”
See G2350
R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology
Morphological Features:
- Tense: Present/Imperfect/Aorist/Perfect
- Voice: Active/Passive
- Mood: Indicative/Subjunctive/Imperative
- Person: First/Second/Third
- Number: Singular/Plural
- Aspect: Imperfective/Perfective/Stative
Examples:
- ταράσσω – I trouble
- ταράσσεται – he/she/it is troubled
- ταραχθῇς – you might be troubled
- Cross-references: ταραχή (tarachē) – “disturbance”
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
BDAG emphasizes ταράσσω’s range from physical agitation to emotional disturbance. Thayer’s traces its development from stirring water to disturbing minds and hearts. LSJ documents extensive use in classical Greek for both literal and metaphorical disturbance. Vine’s highlights its prominence in John’s Gospel, particularly in contexts of divine peace. Strong’s connects it to the basic concept of agitation or disturbance. Moulton and Milligan provide evidence of its use in papyri for various types of disturbances in daily life.
T – Tracing the Scriptures
First Appearance:
Matthew 2:3: “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was [ἐταράχθη] troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
Additional References:
Matthew 14:26
John 5:7
John 11:33
John 12:27
John 13:21
John 14:1
Acts 15:24
Galatians 1:7
1 Peter 3:14
A – Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| Homer: Iliad | “The winds [ταράσσω] stirred up the deep sea” |
| Sophocles: Ajax | “Fear [ταράσσω] troubled his mind greatly” |
| Plato: Republic | “The city was [ταράσσω] disturbed by civil strife” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
ταράσσω powerfully illustrates the human condition of disturbance and our need for divine peace. This word appears at crucial moments when human agitation meets divine intervention, revealing that the Messiah brings peace to both external storms and internal turmoil. The good news shines through as we see Jesus addressing troubled hearts with His peace, demonstrating that no disturbance is beyond His calming presence.
D – Did You Know?
- The term appears frequently in healing narratives involving troubled waters.
- Jesus uses this word to describe His own troubled soul before the crucifixion.
- Early Christian writers used this term to contrast worldly anxiety with divine peace.
Strong’s G5015: A verb meaning “to trouble, disturb, agitate,” ταράσσω describes both physical and emotional disturbance. In the New Testament, it often appears in contexts where divine intervention brings peace to troubled situations and hearts.
Part of speech: Verb
Tags: trouble, disturbance, agitation, divine peace, emotional turmoil, heart condition, spiritual peace, anxiety, divine comfort, inner peace
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations and keyword occurrences in their Bible translation of choice. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
