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θάμβος

thámbos

G2285 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state of being struck with astonishment; overwhelming amazement or awe that temporarily arrests thoughts, speech, or movement. In various contexts, denotes the sudden onset of intense wonder, shock, or fear produced by an extraordinary sight or event, leading to a sense of bewilderment or paralysis.

Semantic Range

stupefaction, astonishment, profound amazement, awe that causes stillness or paralysis, terror mingled with wonder

Root / Etymology

Root/etymology uncertain, possibly related to θάμβος, θάμβωμα, θαμβέω (to astound, to amaze). The ultimate etymology is unclear, but it belongs to a word family expressing being stunned, astonished, or amazed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

θάμβος is rare in classical sources but attested in epic poetry (Homer) to describe the overwhelming awe experienced by mortals in the presence of gods or the supernatural. During the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, θάμβος denotes a deeper, sometimes frightening, form of awe or amazement that results in physical or mental immobility. It differs from other Greek terms for amazement (such as θάυμα, θαῦμα, which often refer to wonder or admiration) in that θάμβος emphasizes an emotional and physiological arrest. English translations commonly use "astonishment" or "amazement," but these terms may underrepresent the intensity and emotive paralysis the word implies. In the New Testament, θάμβος is employed to signal a sudden, overpowering response to the miraculous or the divine presence.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to an obsolete (to dumbfound); stupefaction (by surprise), i.e. astonishment:--X amazed, + astonished, wonder.

Root Family

θάμβος (thambos) — stupefaction, astonishment, awe-struck amazement

Root θάμβ- to stupefy, to astonish, to be struck with awe

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2285-01 θάμβος thambos N NOM N SG amazement stupefying astonishment stupefying astonishment 2
G2285-02 θάμβους thambous N GEN N SG wonder of stupefying awe with stupefying awe 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2285-01 Luke 4:36 θάμβος thambos N NOM N SG amazement stupefying astonishment stupefying astonishment
G2285-01 Luke 5:9 θάμβος thambos N NOM N SG amazement stupefying astonishment stupefying astonishment
G2285-02 Acts 3:10 θάμβους thambous N GEN N SG wonder of stupefying awe with stupefying awe
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