← G3947 G3949 →

παροξυσμός

paroxysmós

G3948 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A provoking, stimulation, or sharp incitement; the act of stirring up or arousing, especially in an emotional or contentious sense. In positive contexts, may denote encouragement or strong motivation toward action; in negative contexts, denotes sharp disagreement, dispute, or irritation between parties.

Semantic Range

provocation, stimulation, strong incitement, encouragement, sharp contention, sudden outbreak of feeling, dispute, paroxysm (medical)

Root / Etymology

From the verb παροξύνω (to provoke, to irritate), itself formed from παρά ('beside') and ὀξύς ('sharp, pointed'), meaning 'to make sharp alongside,' hence to provoke or stimulate. The noun denotes the result or act of such provocation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in classical Greek (e.g., Hippocrates, Plato) as a medical term for a sudden attack or seizure (a 'fit' or 'paroxysm'). In non-medical contexts of classical and Hellenistic Greek, it denotes sharpening of feelings or passions, whether anger, irritation, or, less commonly, strong encouragement. In the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Acts 15:39, Heb 10:24), the term appears in both positive (incitement to good works) and negative (sharp disagreement or contention) settings. English 'paroxysm' is derived from this root but has shifted to primarily medical use; Biblical translations often render the term with 'contention,' 'provocation,' or 'sharp disagreement,' but these do not fully capture the broader semantic range of both positive and negative stimulation present in the Greek usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παροξύνω ("paroxysm"); incitement (to good), or dispute (in anger):--contention, provoke unto.

Root Family

παροξυσμός (paroxysmos) — provocation, stimulation, incitement, sharp contention

Root παροξυ- to provoke, to stimulate, to incite

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3948-01 παροξυσμὸν paroxusmon N ACC M SG provocation sharp provocation stimulation 1
G3948-02 παροξυσμὸς paroxusmos N NOM M SG sharp disagreement sharp provocation sharp provocation 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3948-02 Acts 15:39 παροξυσμὸς paroxusmos N NOM M SG sharp disagreement sharp provocation sharp provocation
G3948-01 Hebrews 10:24 παροξυσμὸν paroxusmon N ACC M SG provocation sharp provocation stimulation
← G3947 Greek Lexicon G3949 →