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.

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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

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?

1. The term appears frequently in healing narratives involving troubled waters.
2. Jesus uses this word to describe His own troubled soul before the crucifixion.
3. 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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​