ἐκφοβέω
ekphobéō
G1629 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause someone to be greatly afraid; to terrify or frighten intensely. The core meaning involves provoking an extreme or overwhelming fear, often as a reaction to a sudden or extraordinary event. The verb can denote a range from being intensely frightened to being struck with awe or terror in response to a perceived danger or supernatural manifestation.
Semantic Range
to terrify, to cause intense fear, to frighten utterly, to strike with overwhelming fear, to alarm greatly
Root / Etymology
Compound of ἐκ ('out of, from') and φοβέω ('to fear, frighten'). The prefix ἐκ intensifies the verb, suggesting being driven out by fear, i.e., 'to drive (someone) out with fear' or 'to terrify utterly.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἐκφοβέω is a rare verb in both classical and Koine Greek. It primarily occurs in contexts that highlight an overwhelming, even paralyzing, fear, especially in response to extraordinary or supernatural phenomena (e.g., angelic appearances, theophanies). In the New Testament, its usage is predominantly found in narrative descriptions where characters are terrified by visions or sudden events. The cognate noun ἔκφοβος ('terrified, greatly afraid') appears more frequently to describe the emotional state following such events. Standard English translations often render the term as 'to terrify' or 'to be greatly afraid,' but these may not capture the sense of utter or overwhelming fear implied by the Greek compound. Related terms include φοβέω ('to fear, frighten') and ἐκπλήσσω ('to amaze, to strike with astonishment or panic'), though ἐκφοβέω specifically intensifies the sense of fear. Classical sources seldom use this compound, but similar intensifications appear in other Greek authors and suggest an established capacity in the language for such verbal formations, especially in dramatic or descriptive contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and φοβέω; to frighten utterly:--terrify.
Root Family
ἐκφοβέω (ekphobeō) — to fear, to frighten, to terrify intensely
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1629-01 |
ἐκφοβεῖν | ekphobein | V PRS ACT INF |
to terrify | to terrify utterly | to terrify utterly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1629-01 |
2 Corinthians 10:9 | ἐκφοβεῖν | ekphobein | V PRS ACT INF |
to terrify | to terrify utterly | to terrify utterly |