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θλίβω

thlíbō

G2346 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To press or compress physically; by extension, to oppress, afflict, cause distress or trouble. The core meaning involves exerting pressure, and in figurative contexts, refers to the experience of hardship, affliction, or distress—whether physical, emotional, or societal. The term can denote external oppressive circumstances or inward distress.

Semantic Range

to press physically, to crowd, to cause distress, to oppress, to afflict, to trouble, to cause hardship, to create a narrow or difficult situation, to suffer oppression or hardship

Root / Etymology

From the root θλιβ-, believed to be related to the idea of pressing or pressure. Etymologically, often compared to τρίβω ('to rub, to crush'), suggesting a shared Indo-European root concerning pressure or friction.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, θλίβω is mainly used in its literal sense of pressing or squeezing. By the Hellenistic period, the word had developed more pronounced metaphorical uses to refer to hardship, oppression, and affliction. In Koine Greek, the term frequently appears in both the Septuagint and New Testament with strong metaphorical implications: suffering oppression, enduring difficult circumstances, or experiencing persecution. The standard English rendering as 'afflict,' 'trouble,' or 'suffer tribulation' captures aspects of the meaning, but can narrow the broader sense of any pressure—physical, emotional, or societal. The related noun θλῖψις is frequently used for affliction or tribulation in early Christian writings. This distinguishes θλίβω from words like βασανίζω (to torture) or δοκιμάζω (to test), which involve notions of testing or torment rather than pressure or squeezing. The word's usage in Koine aligns pressure and distress in both individual and communal contexts, especially under external hostility or persecution.

Translation Consistency

primary "trouble" 5 occurrences

Trouble is a natural, versatile English verb that easily covers both the literal sense of being pressed or distressed and the common figurative senses of being afflicted, oppressed, or caused hardship. It reads naturally in passive and active contexts (be troubled, trouble someone) and fits the typical New Testament usage without sounding overly formal.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"having been oppressed" (1x) "press" (1x) "pressed" (1x) "afflicted" (1x) "oppressing" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to the base of τρίβος; to crowd (literally or figuratively):--afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.

Root Family

θλίβω (thlibō) — to press, to oppress, to afflict

Root θλιβ- to press, to oppress, to afflict

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2346-03 θλιβόμενοι thlibomenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL afflicted being oppressed being troubled 3
G2346-04 θλιβομένοις thlibomenois V PRS PASS PTCP DAT M PL the afflicted to those being oppressed to those being troubled 2
G2346-06 θλίβωσιν thlibosin V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL they should crush they may be pressing may press 1
G2346-05 θλιβόμεθα thlibometha V PRS PASS IND 1P PL we are afflicted we are being pressed we are being pressed 1
G2346-07 θλίβουσιν thlibousin V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL who afflict to the ones oppressing oppressing 1
G2346-01 τεθλιμμένη tethlimmene V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F SG narrow having been oppressed having been oppressed 1
G2346-02 θλίβεσθαι thlibesthai V PRS PASS INF to suffer to be pressed to be afflicted 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2346-01 Matthew 7:14 τεθλιμμένη tethlimmene V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F SG narrow having been oppressed having been oppressed
G2346-06 Mark 3:9 θλίβωσιν thlibosin V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL they should crush they may be pressing may press
G2346-05 2 Corinthians 1:6 θλιβόμεθα thlibometha V PRS PASS IND 1P PL we are afflicted we are being pressed we are being pressed
G2346-03 2 Corinthians 4:8 θλιβόμενοι thlibomenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL afflicted being oppressed being troubled
G2346-03 2 Corinthians 7:5 θλιβόμενοι thlibomenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL we were afflicted being oppressed being troubled
G2346-02 1 Thessalonians 3:4 θλίβεσθαι thlibesthai V PRS PASS INF to suffer to be pressed to be afflicted
G2346-07 2 Thessalonians 1:6 θλίβουσιν thlibousin V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL who afflict to the ones oppressing oppressing
G2346-04 2 Thessalonians 1:7 θλιβομένοις thlibomenois V PRS PASS PTCP DAT M PL who are afflicted to those being oppressed to those being troubled
G2346-04 1 Timothy 5:10 θλιβομένοις thlibomenois V PRS PASS PTCP DAT M PL the afflicted to those being oppressed to those being troubled
G2346-03 Hebrews 11:37 θλιβόμενοι thlibomenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL afflicted being oppressed being troubled
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