ἐμβριμάομαι
embrimáomai
G1690 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be deeply moved with emotion, especially anger or indignation, often expressed visibly or audibly. In the primary sense, ἐμβριμάομαι denotes a strong internal movement such as indignation, sternness, or agitation, which may be outwardly displayed by stern speech, groaning, or commanding with intensity. The term is used both of emotional agitation (such as being deeply upset or angry) and of issuing intense, emphatic instructions or rebuke.
Semantic Range
to be deeply moved with anger or agitation, to express indignation, to sternly command or rebuke, to groan or sigh intensely, to warn emphatically
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐν ('in') and the verb βριμάομαι ('to snort, roar with anger'), thus literally conveying the sense of being filled or inwardly seized with intense emotion, especially indignation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐμβριμάομαι is associated with strong emotions, often manifesting as anger, scolding, or a stern rebuke. In the Septuagint, the term is rare. In the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, ἐμβριμάομαι is used to describe Jesus being deeply moved, conveying emotion such as anger, stern warning, or troubled agitation (see John 11:33, 38; Mark 1:43; Mark 14:5; Matthew 9:30). English translations have rendered it variously as 'groan,' 'sternly warn,' or 'rebuke,' but these do not always capture the full force of emotional agitation; in certain contexts (e.g., John 11:33, 38), it can suggest a combination of both frustration and grief. The term emphasizes the strength of internal emotion, with potential for both verbal and nonverbal expression. Its nuance makes it distinct from simple terms for 'anger' or 'command,' highlighting an agitated, deeply emotional state.
Translation Consistency
ἐμβριμάομαι most commonly conveys angry indignation expressed outwardly as a stern rebuke or sharp command. "Scold" is a natural, everyday verb that covers both the emotional upset and the act of sharply reproving or warning, so it best fits the typical usage while remaining idiomatic English.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐν and (to snort with anger); to have indignation on, i.e. (transitively) to blame, (intransitively) to sigh with chagrin, (specially) to sternly enjoin:--straitly charge, groan, murmur against.
Root Family
ἐμβριμάομαι (embrimaomai) — to snort, to bristle, to express strong indignation, to sternly charge
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1690-03 |
ἐνεβριμήσατο | enebrimesato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
He groaned | he bristled within himself | he bristled within himself | 1 |
G1690-02 |
ἐμβριμώμενος | embrimomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
being deeply moved | bristling within himself | being deeply moved within himself | 1 |
G1690-05 |
ἐνεβριμῶντο | enebrimonto | V IMPF MID IND 3P PL |
they murmured | they were bristling with indignation | they were bristling with indignation | 1 |
G1690-04 |
ἐνεβριμήθη | enebrimethe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
sternly warned | was seized with indignation | gave them a stern warning | 1 |
G1690-01 |
ἐμβριμησάμενος | embrimesamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
sternly warned | having bristled with indignation | having sternly warned | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1690-04 |
Matthew 9:30 | ἐνεβριμήθη | enebrimethe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
sternly warned | was seized with indignation | gave them a stern warning |
G1690-01 |
Mark 1:43 | ἐμβριμησάμενος | embrimesamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
sternly warned | having bristled with indignation | having sternly warned |
G1690-05 |
Mark 14:5 | ἐνεβριμῶντο | enebrimonto | V IMPF MID IND 3P PL |
they murmured | they were bristling with indignation | they were bristling with indignation |
G1690-03 |
John 11:33 | ἐνεβριμήσατο | enebrimesato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
He groaned | he bristled within himself | he bristled within himself |
G1690-02 |
John 11:38 | ἐμβριμώμενος | embrimomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
being deeply moved | bristling within himself | being deeply moved within himself |