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τρόμος

trómos

G5156 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Physical or emotional trembling, typically as a bodily response to intense fear, anxiety, awe, or a powerful experience. The primary lexical meaning is the involuntary quivering or shaking of the body, but it extends to contexts indicating dread, overwhelming reverence, or shock.

Semantic Range

physical trembling, shivering from fear or intense emotion, quaking as a bodily reaction, anxious agitation, profound reverence accompanied by physical response, overwhelming dread

Root / Etymology

Derived from τρέμω (tremō), meaning 'to tremble' or 'to quake.' The suffix -ος forms an abstract noun from the verb, signifying the state or condition of trembling. Cognate with Latin tremor.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, τρόμος referred to a literal shaking or shivering, arising from physical cold, fear, or weakness. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it often denoted a reaction of profound fear, reverence, or agitation. In the Septuagint, τρόμος frequently translates Hebrew terms indicating terror or awe before divine revelation or threat. In New Testament usage, it describes both literal trembling (e.g., Acts 16:29) and metaphorical states of fearful reverence or humility before God (e.g., 1 Corinthians 2:3; Ephesians 6:5; Philippians 2:12). Standard English translations as “trembling” or “fear” sometimes obscure the range from physical to emotional or spiritual responses. Related to, but more intense than, φόβος ('fear') and distinguished from δέος (awe, dread) by its emphasis on physiological manifestation.

Translation Consistency

primary "trembling" 5 occurrences

Matches the primary, natural English rendering found in the P2 data and captures the full semantic range (physical quivering, fear/shock, awe). It is the most common and idiomatic choice for τρόμος and reads naturally across contexts where the noun denotes bodily or emotional shaking.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from τρέμω; a "trembling", i.e. quaking with fear:--+ tremble(-ing).

Root Family

τρόμος (tromos) — trembling, quaking, shaking

Root τρέμ- to tremble, to quake, to shake

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5156-03 τρόμου tromou N GEN M SG trembling of trembling trembling 3
G5156-01 τρόμῳ tromo N DAT M SG trembling with trembling trembling 1
G5156-02 τρόμος tromos N NOM M SG trembling trembling trembling 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5156-02 Mark 16:8 τρόμος tromos N NOM M SG trembling trembling trembling
G5156-01 1 Corinthians 2:3 τρόμῳ tromo N DAT M SG trembling with trembling trembling
G5156-03 2 Corinthians 7:15 τρόμου tromou N GEN M SG trembling of trembling of trembling
G5156-03 Ephesians 6:5 τρόμου tromou N GEN M SG trembling of trembling trembling
G5156-03 Philippians 2:12 τρόμου tromou N GEN M SG trembling of trembling trembling
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