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ὅρμημα

hórmēma

G3731 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Impulse or onset, especially the act of rushing forward, often with force or aggression; refers to a forceful or energetic movement, typically directed toward an object or target. In some contexts, denotes attack or assault, but also conveys the idea of impetuosity, eagerness, or violent rush. The primary sense is of energetic initiation or launching into action, which can be abstract (as in vehemence or ardor) or concrete (as in a physical assault).

Semantic Range

attack, violent rush, assault, energetic onset, forceful impulse, impetuous action, passionate drive

Root / Etymology

From ὁρμή (impulse, onset, rush), with the suffix -μα indicating the result of an action or its concrete instance. ὁρμή comes from the verb ὁρμάω/ὁρμῶ (to set in motion, to rush, to start).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ὅρμημα is rare but attested as both a physical and metaphorical term, often used to describe the energetic launch of a fleet, a cavalry charge, or the passionate drive of a person or group. In the LXX and New Testament, the word appears infrequently and retains its connotations of an aggressive onset or impetuous movement, whether of a crowd, an army, or an abstract force such as anger. Standard English translations often render it narrowly as ‘attack’ or ‘violence,’ yet the word can have the wider sense of a driving impulse or vehement rush, not limited to hostile or violent actions. Cognate terms like ὁρμή (rush, impulse) and ὁρμάω (to set in motion) reflect the broader semantic field, emphasizing initiation and strong movement.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὁρμή; an attack, i.e. (abstractly) precipitancy:--violence.

Root Family

ὁρμ- (hormáō) — to rush forward, to set in motion, to charge

Root ὁρμ- to rush, to set in motion, to attack, to impel
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3729 ὁρμάω they rushed forward
G3730 ὁρμή forceful rush
G4358 προσορμίζω they were moored near shore
G874 ἀφορμή a base of operations

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3731-01 ὁρμήματι ormemati N DAT N SG with violence with a violent rush with a violent rush 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3731-01 Revelation 18:21 ὁρμήματι ormemati N DAT N SG with violence with a violent rush with a violent rush
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