Divine Victory: τάραχος (Strong’s G5017: tarachos) Reveals Sovereign Control

Strong’s G5017: A masculine noun meaning “disturbance, commotion, upheaval,” τάραχος describes intense agitation in both social and emotional contexts. In Acts, it appears in narratives where human turmoil highlights God’s sovereign control over seemingly chaotic situations.

U- Unveiling the Word

τάραχος represents intense disturbance or commotion, particularly in contexts where human plans are disrupted by divine intervention. In its New Testament usage, it appears in Acts during key moments when apparent chaos actually serves God’s purposes. The term emphasizes how human agitation often accompanies divine activity, showing that what appears as disorder from an earthly perspective may be precisely orchestrated by God. The early church recognized this term as expressing how God’s sovereign purposes often work through apparent disorder. Today, it continues to remind believers that upheaval often precedes divine breakthrough.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τάραχος, tarachos, /TAR-a-khos/
• Phonetic Guide: “tar” as in “tar,” “a” as in “about,” “khos” as in “cost”
• Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine)

Etymology:

• From ταράσσω (tarassō) – verb meaning “to trouble”
• -ος (-os) – masculine noun suffix

D – Defining Meanings

• Commotion
• Disturbance
• Tumult

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but derived from ταράσσω with masculine noun suffix -ος

Translation Options:

• Commotion – emphasizes visible agitation
• Disturbance – highlights disruption
• Tumult – captures intensity

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ταραχή (tarachē) /ta-ra-KHAY/ – “disturbance” as feminine noun
  See G5016
• θόρυβος (thorubos) /THOR-u-bos/ – “uproar” – more focused on noise
  See G2351

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Case: Varies (Nominative, Genitive, etc.)
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second

As a masculine noun, it follows second declension patterns. In English translations, it appears as “commotion” or “disturbance” with appropriate articles and possessive forms.

• Cross-references: ταράσσω (tarassō) – “to trouble”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes τάραχος’s use in describing social and political upheaval. Thayer’s traces its development from physical disturbance to broader social disruption. LSJ documents extensive use in classical Greek for civil unrest and public disturbances. Vine’s highlights its appearance in Acts narratives where human confusion serves divine purposes. Strong’s connects it to the concept of instability and confusion. Moulton and Milligan provide evidence of its use in papyri describing various forms of public disorder and institutional disruption.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Acts 12:18: “Now as soon as it was day, there was no small [τάραχος] stir among the soldiers, about what had become of Peter.”

Additional References:
Acts 19:23

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Thucydides: History	“The [τάραχος] commotion spread throughout the city”
Xenophon: Anabasis	“Great [τάραχος] tumult arose in the camp”
Polybius: Histories	“The army fell into [τάραχος] disorder during the night”

N – Noteworthy Summary

τάραχος powerfully illustrates how God works through apparent chaos to accomplish His purposes. This word appears in Acts at moments when human confusion actually advances divine plans. The good news shines through as we see that what appears as disorder from an earthly perspective is often the prelude to divine victory. It reminds us that God’s sovereign control remains unshaken even when circumstances seem most chaotic.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term frequently appears in ancient military accounts describing battlefield confusion.
2. Early church writers used this word to describe the upheaval preceding divine intervention.
3. The word appears in contexts where human disorder ultimately highlights God’s order.

Strong’s G5017: A masculine noun meaning “disturbance, commotion, upheaval,” τάραχος describes intense agitation in both social and emotional contexts. In Acts, it appears in narratives where human turmoil highlights God’s sovereign control over seemingly chaotic situations.

Part of speech: Noun (Masculine)

Tags: commotion, disturbance, divine sovereignty, chaos, upheaval, Acts narrative, God’s control, social disorder, divine purpose, human confusion​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​