Brief Overview of θλίβω (Strong’s G2346: thlíbō)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is vital for biblical studies as it provides deeper insights into the meanings and contexts of New Testament texts. The Greek word θλίβω (thlíbō) is particularly significant because it means “to press,” “to crush,” or “to afflict,” often used to convey the idea of pressure, oppression, or distress. This word appears in passages that describe the experiences of hardship, persecution, or spiritual struggle, making it crucial for interpreting the New Testament’s teachings on suffering, endurance, and the path to spiritual maturity. By exploring the usage of θλίβω, we gain a better understanding of how early Christians perceived trials and the theological implications of enduring pressure and affliction.

Key Information

The Greek Word: θλίβω (thlíbō) [thlee-BOH]
Etymology: Derived from the Greek root θλιβ- (thlib-), which means “to press” or “to squeeze.” The verb carries connotations of compressing or applying pressure, both literally and metaphorically.
Part of Speech: Verb; used to describe the act of pressing, squeezing, or oppressing.
Grammatical Details: Regular verb; conjugated to indicate different tenses, voices, and moods.
The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

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To press or squeeze: To apply pressure on something, causing it to compress or constrict.
To crush or compress: To break or flatten something by force.
To afflict or oppress: To cause trouble, hardship, or distress, particularly in a figurative sense.

Similar Words: συνθλάω (synthláō) [soon-THLA-oh] is another Greek verb meaning “to crush together” or “to break.” While συνθλάω emphasizes the breaking or shattering aspect, θλίβω focuses on the act of pressing or squeezing, which may or may not result in breaking. Another related word is πιέζω (piézō) [pee-ED-zo], which also means “to press” or “to squeeze,” but it is used more frequently in everyday contexts and lacks the deeper connotation of affliction or spiritual pressure that θλίβω carries.

Further Insights: As a regular verb, θλίβω follows a common conjugation pattern in Greek grammar. Below is a table with the present indicative active form of θλίβω:

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	θλίβω	θλίβομεν
2nd	θλίβεις	θλίβετε
3rd	θλίβει	θλίβουσι(ν)

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: θλίβω is defined as “to press,” “to compress,” or “to oppress.” BDAG highlights its use in the New Testament to describe both physical and metaphorical pressure, especially in contexts of suffering or persecution. It emphasizes the word’s association with the struggles faced by early Christians.
Thayer’s Lexicon: Thayer’s describes θλίβω as “to press, to afflict,” with a focus on its metaphorical usage to convey distress or tribulation. Thayer’s notes that the term is often used to describe the challenges or trials that believers must endure as part of their spiritual journey.
Vine’s Expository Dictionary: Vine’s discusses θλίβω in the context of its metaphorical implications, noting that it is frequently used to represent the pressures and afflictions that one may experience in life or as a follower of Christ. The dictionary emphasizes the idea of enduring these pressures as a means of spiritual growth.
LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): The LSJ lexicon provides a broad overview of θλίβω, from its basic meaning of “to press” or “to squeeze” in everyday contexts to its more abstract uses where it signifies oppression, hardship, or mental distress in philosophical and rhetorical works.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: G2346. Strong’s defines θλίβω as “to press,” “to crowd,” or “to afflict,” highlighting its frequent use in both the Old and New Testaments to describe various forms of physical, emotional, or spiritual pressure. The concordance underscores the importance of this term in biblical teachings on suffering and perseverance.

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Related Scripture References

Matthew 7:14: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow (θλιβομένη) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
2 Corinthians 4:8: “We are troubled (θλιβόμενοι) on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.”
1 Thessalonians 3:4: “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation (θλιβόμεθα); even as it came to pass, and ye know.”

Classical Usage

Author	Name of Work	English Text
Plato	Republic	“The mind, when pressed (θλίβω) by conflicting thoughts, seeks resolution in truth.”
Sophocles	Oedipus Rex	“The city’s people are pressed (θλίβονται) by famine and plague.”
Homer	Odyssey	“The ship was pressed (θλίβεται) between the waves and the rocks.”
Septuagint – Psalms	Septuagint Translation	“In my distress (θλίβοντι), I called upon the Lord.”
Septuagint – Isaiah	Septuagint Translation	“The nations are pressed (θλίβονται) like grapes in the winepress.”
Septuagint – Job	Septuagint Translation	“Man is pressed (θλίβεται) all his days, as a servant who desires the shadow.”

Summary of θλίβω (G2346)

The Greek verb θλίβω (thlíbō) primarily means “to press” or “to afflict” and is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts in the New Testament and classical literature. In biblical teachings, it often describes the trials and hardships faced by believers, as well as the narrow and difficult path to spiritual growth and salvation. The term appears frequently in passages that emphasize endurance, perseverance, and faith under pressure. Understanding θλίβω helps in interpreting biblical instructions on suffering, spiritual maturity, and the divine purpose behind life’s challenges.

Did You Know?

The word θλίβω is related to the English word “tribulation,” which also comes from a Latin root meaning “to press” or “to crush.” In both Greek and Latin, this idea of pressure or crushing is metaphorically extended to describe severe trials, afflictions, or suffering, underscoring a shared cultural concept of endurance under hardship as a path to growth and purification.