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θλῖψις

thlîpsis

G2347 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Oppressive state, affliction, or distress experienced by persons or communities, either from external pressures or internal suffering. Primarily denotes the experience of being subjected to pressing circumstances, hardship, or intense difficulty; secondarily, can denote the state resulting from such circumstances.

Semantic Range

physical pressure, hardship, distress, affliction, persecution, tribulation, circumstantial trouble

Root / Etymology

From the verb θλίβω (thlíbō, 'to press, squeeze, oppress'). The noun θλῖψις is a derivation from this verb, indicating the result or condition of being pressed or oppressed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

θλῖψις in classical Greek is rare, but becomes more common in Hellenistic and especially Jewish Greek sources to indicate hardship, trouble, or suffering—either physical, emotional, or circumstantial. In the Septuagint, θλῖψις commonly translates Hebrew terms related to distress (notably צָרָה), frequently referring to calamity or national crisis but also to personal hardship. In the New Testament, the word is employed for general tribulation, persecution, or suffering afflicting individuals or groups, including those associated with eschatological expectation. Standard English renderings such as 'tribulation,' 'affliction,' or 'trouble' vary by context, but none fully conveys the sense of external, constraining pressure originally implied by the root. The use of θλῖψις in Jewish-Greek and early Christian literature reflects both the physical and existential dimensions of distress, and contrasts with terms for general sorrow (λύπη) or internal grief. The term is commonly associated with persecution or hardship faced by communities, particularly the early assemblies in the context of opposition.

Translation Consistency

primary "affliction" 45 occurrences

θλῖψις primarily denotes hardship, distress, or persecution; 'affliction' is the most common, natural English rendering in the P2 data and in English Bibles, and it cleanly covers the typical semantic range (hardship, distress, tribulation, persecution) without overly technical or ecclesiastical flavor.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from θλίβω; pressure (literally or figuratively):--afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

Root Family

θλῖψις (thlipsis) — pressure, oppression, affliction, distress

Root θλιβ- to press, to squeeze, to oppress

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2347-06 θλῖψιν thlipsin N ACC F SG tribulation pressing affliction pressing affliction 10
G2347-01 θλίψει thlipsei N DAT F SG affliction in oppressive pressure in affliction 9
G2347-04 θλίψεως thlipseos N GEN F SG affliction of oppressive distress of oppressive affliction 9
G2347-07 θλῖψις thlipsis N NOM F SG tribulation pressing oppression pressing affliction 7
G2347-05 θλίψεσιν thlipsesin N DAT F PL tribulations in oppressions in afflictions 6
G2347-03 θλίψεων thlipseon N GEN F PL afflictions of oppressions of afflictions 3
G2347-02 θλίψεις thlipseis N NOM F PL afflictions oppressive pressures afflictions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

45 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2347-04 Matthew 13:21 θλίψεως thlipseos N GEN F SG tribulation of oppressive distress of oppressive affliction
G2347-06 Matthew 24:9 θλῖψιν thlipsin N ACC F SG tribulation pressing affliction pressing affliction
G2347-07 Matthew 24:21 θλῖψις thlipsis N NOM F SG tribulation pressing oppression pressing affliction
G2347-06 Matthew 24:29 θλῖψιν thlipsin N ACC F SG tribulation pressing affliction pressing affliction
G2347-04 Mark 4:17 θλίψεως thlipseos N GEN F SG affliction of oppressive distress of oppressive affliction
G2347-07 Mark 13:19 θλῖψις thlipsis N NOM F SG tribulation pressing oppression pressing affliction
G2347-06 Mark 13:24 θλῖψιν thlipsin N ACC F SG tribulation pressing affliction pressing affliction
G2347-04 John 16:21 θλίψεως thlipseos N GEN F SG anguish of oppressive distress of oppressive affliction
G2347-06 John 16:33 θλῖψιν thlipsin N ACC F SG tribulation pressing affliction pressing affliction
G2347-03 Acts 7:10 θλίψεων thlipseon N GEN F PL afflictions of oppressions of afflictions
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