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πτόησις

ptóēsis

G4423 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A trembling or fearful agitation arising from terror, sudden fright, or alarm; the state or experience of being startled or thrown into panic. In various contexts, can indicate intense fear, shock, or distress in response to perceived danger, whether psychological or physical.

Semantic Range

fright, terror, sudden alarm, panic, agitation resulting from fear, state of being startled or thrown into confusion by fear

Root / Etymology

From the verb πτοέω (ptoéō, 'to frighten, to terrify'), which itself is related to the root πτο- signifying trembling or being struck with fear. The noun is a direct cognate, forming an abstract term meaning the state or condition of being alarmed or terrified.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πτόησις appears in poetry and prose denoting not merely ordinary fear but rather a paralyzing terror or panic, often sudden and overwhelming. In Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the term is rare but denotes acute alarm, distress, or perturbation (e.g., 1 Peter 3:6). The nuance distinguishes πτόησις from other Greek words for fear such as φόβος ('fear/terror' more generally) or δέος (a more respectful awe or fear). In the Septuagint, the word is used to render expressions of overwhelming terror in response to divine acts or enemies. Later English translations often render the term as 'amazement' or 'alarm,' but these can understate its traumatic connotation in Greek contexts. The word carries more of a sense of psychological disturbance or shock than merely simple surprise.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πτοέω; alarm:--amazement.

Root Family

πτόησις (ptoēsis) — fright, terror, sudden alarm, panic, fearful agitation

Root πτο- to frighten, to cause to tremble, to startle

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4423-01 πτόησιν ptoesin N ACC F SG terror frightful alarm frightful alarm 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4423-01 1 Peter 3:6 πτόησιν ptoesin N ACC F SG terror frightful alarm frightful alarm
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