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θροέω

throéō

G2360 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To be disturbed or agitated, often in the sense of experiencing internal turmoil, alarm, or sudden distress; to be thrown into confusion or fright (psychologically or emotionally). In certain contexts, refers to agitation provoked by unsettling news, events, or appearances that engender fear or anxiety. May also be used to describe audible expressions of alarm, but more commonly denotes the inward process of being troubled or shaken.

Semantic Range

to be disturbed, to be troubled, to be alarmed, to experience sudden fear, to be unsettled, to be thrown into confusion, to be startled

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb θρέω, an older word meaning 'to cry aloud, call out, wail,' though θροέω is often used with a more internalized sense. Related to θρῆνος ('dirge, lament') and the verb θρηνέω ('to wail, lament'). Original sense points to cries or clamor, but in Koine Greek, the focus shifted more to inward disturbance or agitation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek literature, θροέω is rare and refers primarily to audible clamor or cry. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, the meaning refers primarily to inward agitation, fear, or emotional upheaval resulting from alarming reports or supernatural events (cf. Mark 13:7; 2 Thess 2:2). The word does not uniformly imply outward wailing but often indicates being mentally or emotionally unsettled. English translations such as 'troubled' or 'alarmed' capture the internal aspect, while traditional glosses like 'clamor' miss the later nuance. The semantic shift parallels changes in related words such as ταράσσω, with which θροέω can overlap, but θροέω more specifically connotes the onset of sudden fear or anxiety. Notably, in several New Testament contexts, it refers to being thrown into confusion by reports of wars, rumors, or eschatological events, indicating the mental impact rather than vocal cries.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from to wail; to clamor, i.e. (by implication) to frighten:--trouble.

Root Family

θροέω (throeō) — to be agitated, to cry out, to be disturbed

Root θροέ- to be agitated, to cry out, to be disturbed

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2360-02 θροεῖσθε throeisthe V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL be troubled be agitated be agitated 2
G2360-01 θροεῖσθαι throeisthai V PRS PASS INF be troubled to be disturbed to be troubled 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2360-02 Matthew 24:6 θροεῖσθε throeisthe V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL be troubled be agitated be alarmed
G2360-02 Mark 13:7 θροεῖσθε throeisthe V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL be troubled be agitated be agitated
G2360-01 2 Thessalonians 2:2 θροεῖσθαι throeisthai V PRS PASS INF be troubled to be disturbed to be troubled
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