ἔμφοβος
émphobos
G1719 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Experiencing fear, struck with terror or alarm; describes a state of being filled with fear, startled, or made anxious by something perceived as threatening or awe-inspiring. Depending on context, can include being disturbed, deeply moved, or seized with trembling due to fear or reverence.
Semantic Range
fearful, filled with fear, terrified, alarmed, affrighted, trembling with fear, seized with dread, moved by awe
Root / Etymology
A compound formed from ἐν ('in') and φόβος ('fear, terror'); literally 'in fear' or 'full of fear.' Root: φοβ- (fear).
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἔμφοβος is rare in classical Greek but is attested in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament. It typically signifies a present and overwhelming experience of fear, not a general disposition. In the Septuagint, often used to translate Hebrew terms conveying sudden dread or awe in response to divine manifestations, angelic encounters, or significant events. In the New Testament, appears in contexts where individuals or groups are overcome by fear, sometimes with nuance of awe or reverence, such as in encounter narratives (e.g., post-resurrection appearances). Distinct from φοβοῦμαι ('I fear' as a verb) and φόβος (noun, 'fear'), ἔμφοβος is an adjective describing the emotional state of a subject. English translations such as 'afraid,' 'alarmed,' or 'trembling with fear' capture the sense but can underplay undertones of awe or profound emotion present in Koine usage.
Translation Consistency
ʻAfraidʼ is the most natural, broadly applicable English rendering for ἔμφοβος in predicate use. It covers the typical senses (filled with fear, frightened, alarmed, terrified) without sounding overly formal, and works smoothly in idiomatic English (e.g. “they were afraid,” “he was afraid”). It therefore provides the consistent, natural base-word required for all forms of this lemma.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐν and φόβος; in fear, i.e. alarmed:--affrighted, afraid, tremble.
Root Family
ἔμφοβος (emphobos) — fear, terror, alarm, being filled with fear
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1719-01 |
ἔμφοβοι | emphoboi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
frightened | fear-stricken ones | afraid ones | 2 |
G1719-03 |
ἔμφοβος | emphobos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
terrified | filled with fear | filled with fear | 2 |
G1719-02 |
ἐμφόβων | emphobon | ADJ.P GEN F PL |
terrified | of fear-filled ones | of fear-filled ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1719-02 |
Luke 24:5 | ἐμφόβων | emphobon | ADJ.P GEN F PL |
terrified | of fear-filled ones | of fear-filled ones |
G1719-01 |
Luke 24:37 | ἔμφοβοι | emphoboi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
frightened | fear-stricken ones | frightened |
G1719-03 |
Acts 10:4 | ἔμφοβος | emphobos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
terrified | filled with fear | filled with fear |
G1719-03 |
Acts 24:25 | ἔμφοβος | emphobos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
terrified | filled with fear | filled with fear |
G1719-01 |
Revelation 11:13 | ἔμφοβοι | emphoboi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
terrified | fear-stricken ones | afraid ones |