θυμομαχέω
thymomachéō
G2371 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To engage in an intense dispute or conflict characterized by strong emotion; to contend with passionate anger or fury. In extended use, to be deeply incensed or indignant, especially in response to provocation or perceived offense. Frequently emphasizes both the internal emotional surge (anger, indignation) and the outward expression in verbal or physical contention.
Semantic Range
to engage in furious conflict, to fight passionately, to be incensed, to resist with wrath, to be violently opposed, to show intense displeasure
Root / Etymology
From θυμός (thymos, 'anger, passion, spiritedness, temper') and μαχέομαι (macheomai, 'to fight, contend, do battle'), combined to form a compound verb. The structure suggests 'to fight with wrath' or 'to battle fiercely'. No evidence of the word prior to Koine Greek; the compound formation is transparent.
Historical & Contextual Notes
θυμομαχέω is rare and primarily Koine, with attestation in Acts 12:20 as a hapax legomenon in the New Testament. The verb captures both the emotive aspect (θυμός: wrath, fervor) and the action (μαχέομαι: fighting, disputing). The sense is not mere displeasure but intense or furious antagonism, often involving both strong feeling and active resistance or hostility. Classical Greek prefers other compounds (e.g., ὀργίζομαι for 'to be angry', στασιάζω for 'to be at variance'). In the NT context, θυμομαχέω denotes a heightened form of collective displeasure or opposition, stressing both the public expression and the underlying emotional drive. English renderings (e.g., 'be highly displeased') may understate the force and emotional intensity that the Greek expresses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a presumed compound of θυμός and μάχομαι; to be in a furious fight, i.e. (figuratively) to be exasperated:--be highly displeased.
Root Family
θυμομαχέω (thymomacheō) — to be angry, to contend, to fight
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2371-01 |
θυμομαχῶν | thumomachon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
angry | wrathfully contending | wrathfully contending | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2371-01 |
Acts 12:20 | θυμομαχῶν | thumomachon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
angry | wrathfully contending | wrathfully contending |