← G1604 G1606 →

ἐκπλήσσω

ekplḗssō

G1605 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To strike out of one's normal state through a sudden and powerful impact, most often referring to being overwhelmed, amazed, or rendered astounded by some event, saying, or action. The word carries the root sense of forcible displacement—especially emotional or mental shock—which results in amazement or intense astonishment.

Semantic Range

to strike out, to drive out (literally); to overwhelm (with shock, fear, astonishment); to be/amaze, astonish, astound, cause intense emotional impact; to be awestruck, overtaken by wonder or even fear

Root / Etymology

From ἐκ- ('out, from') and πλήσσω ('to strike, to smite'). The compound thus means literally 'to strike out' or 'to drive out by a blow.' The verb is formed by adding the prepositional prefix ἐκ- to πλήσσω.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐκπλήσσω and its middle/passive form (ἐκπλήσσομαι) are used primarily to describe being driven out of one's usual mental or emotional state, typically by intense fear, awe, or amazement. The impact is sudden and forceful. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, particularly in the New Testament and Septuagint, the word is almost always used in the passive voice and typically refers to an overwhelming sense of astonishment, wonder, or awe—often in response to divine acts or teachings. Standard English translations often render this as 'amazed' or 'astonished,' but the Greek emphasizes the intensity and disruptive nature of the experience. There is sometimes a nuance of awe or even terror. Unlike θαμβέω (to astound, to amaze) or θαυμάζω (to marvel, to wonder), ἐκπλήσσω more strongly suggests being emotionally 'knocked out' of one's normal state. The verb is normally found in the middle or passive voice in Koine Greek.

Translation Consistency

primary "astonish" 10 occurrences

Covers the primary sense of sudden, overpowering amazement or shock in the SILEX range (astonish/astonished/astounded/overwhelmed). It is natural English, readily inflected for passive/intransitive uses (be astonished) and fits typical New Testament usage better than more formal or narrower choices like 'strike' or 'subdue'.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"struck with astonishment" (3x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and πλήσσω; to strike with astonishment:--amaze, astonish.

Root Family

ἐκπλήσσω (ekplēssō) — to strike out, to smite, to drive out, to overwhelm with shock, to astound

Root πλήσσω to strike, to smite, to drive out

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1605-05 ἐξεπλήσσοντο exeplessonto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL were astonished they were being struck with astonishment they were being astonished 9
G1605-04 ἐξεπλήσσετο exeplesseto V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG was astonished was being struck with astonishment was being struck with astonishment 1
G1605-03 ἐξεπλάγησαν exeplagesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL they were astonished they were struck with astonishment they were struck with astonishment 1
G1605-02 ἐκπλησσόμενος ekplessomenos V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG being astonished being struck out in astonishment being astonished 1
G1605-01 ἐκπλήσσεσθαι ekplessesthai V PRS PASS INF they were astonished to be struck with astonishment to be struck with astonishment 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1605-05 Matthew 7:28 ἐξεπλήσσοντο exeplessonto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL were astonished they were being struck with astonishment they were being astonished
G1605-01 Matthew 13:54 ἐκπλήσσεσθαι ekplessesthai V PRS PASS INF they were astonished to be struck with astonishment to be struck with astonishment
G1605-05 Matthew 19:25 ἐξεπλήσσοντο exeplessonto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL were astonished they were being struck with astonishment they were being astonished
G1605-05 Matthew 22:33 ἐξεπλήσσοντο exeplessonto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL were astonished they were being struck with astonishment they were being astonished
G1605-05 Mark 1:22 ἐξεπλήσσοντο exeplessonto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL they were astonished they were being struck with astonishment they were being astonished
G1605-05 Mark 6:2 ἐξεπλήσσοντο exeplessonto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL were astonished they were being struck with astonishment they were being astonished
G1605-05 Mark 7:37 ἐξεπλήσσοντο exeplessonto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL they were astonished they were being struck with astonishment they were being astonished
G1605-05 Mark 10:26 ἐξεπλήσσοντο exeplessonto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL astonished they were being struck with astonishment they were being astonished
G1605-04 Mark 11:18 ἐξεπλήσσετο exeplesseto V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG was astonished was being struck with astonishment was being struck with astonishment
G1605-03 Luke 2:48 ἐξεπλάγησαν exeplagesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL they were astonished they were struck with astonishment they were struck with astonishment
← G1604 Greek Lexicon G1606 →