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ταράσσω

tarássō

G5015 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ταράσ- to stir, to agitate, to disturb

Definition

To stir up, disturb, or agitate, both in a literal physical sense (such as stirring water, causing confusion or turmoil) and in a figurative sense (to trouble, unsettle, or distress a person internally, particularly with anxiety, fear, or emotional agitation). In literary and later Koine Greek, ταράσσω often denotes emotional disturbance, apprehension, or distress.

Semantic Range

to stir up physically (liquids, crowds), to disturb or agitate emotionally, to trouble or alarm, to cause confusion or turmoil, to throw into disorder, to startle or frighten

Root / Etymology

Root: ταράσ-; The etymology is uncertain and not clearly related to any other Greek words with confidence. Not obviously cognate with any known Indo-European root. Possibly pre-Greek in origin or onomatopoeic, reflecting the sound of agitated movement.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ταράσσω appears in prose and poetry to describe both literal disturbance (e.g., of water, air, or crowds) and metaphorical disturbance (of the mind, heart, or emotions). In the Septuagint (LXX) and New Testament, the usage shifts significantly toward psychological or emotional disturbance, such as anxiety, alarm, fear, or deep trouble. In such contexts, it is often used to translate Hebrew verbs like רָגַז (ragaz, to shake, tremble) and בָּהַל (bahal, to panic, be terrified). English Bible translations commonly render it as "trouble," "disturb," or "be afraid," but these do not always convey the intensity or breadth of the Greek, which can also indicate agitation, confusion, or inner turmoil. In John 5:7, ταράσσω is used literally for stirring up water. Elsewhere in the Gospels and Acts, it frequently describes internal agitation, as when a crowd or an individual is disturbed by an event, teaching, or vision.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate (roil water):--trouble.

Root Family

ταράσσω (tarassō) — to stir, to agitate, to disturb

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G5015-01 ἐταράχθη etarachthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was troubled was stirred up 3
G5015-08 ταρασσέσθω tarassestho V PRS PASS IMP 3P SG let be troubled let him be disturbed 2
G5015-02 ἐταράχθησαν etarachthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were troubled they were stirred up 2
G5015-04 ἐτάραξαν etaraxan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL have troubled they stirred up 2
G5015-10 ταράσσοντες tarassontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL stirring up those stirring up 2
G5015-05 ἐτάραξεν etaraxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG was troubled he disturbed 1
G5015-12 τετάρακται tetaraktai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG has been troubled has been stirred up 1
G5015-07 ταραχθῆτε tarachthete V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P PL be troubled you may be disturbed 1
G5015-11 τεταραγμένοι tetaragmenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL are troubled having been disturbed 1
G5015-03 ἐτάρασσεν etarassen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG troubled he was stirring up 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G5015-01 Matthew 2:3 ἐταράχθη etarachthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was troubled was stirred up
G5015-02 Matthew 14:26 ἐταράχθησαν etarachthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL they were stirred up
G5015-02 Mark 6:50 ἐταράχθησαν etarachthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were troubled they were stirred up
G5015-01 Luke 1:12 ἐταράχθη etarachthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was troubled was stirred up
G5015-11 Luke 24:38 τεταραγμένοι tetaragmenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL are troubled having been disturbed
G5015-03 John 5:4 ἐτάρασσεν etarassen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG troubled he was stirring up
G5015-06 John 5:7 ταραχθῇ tarachthe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG is stirred up may be disturbed
G5015-05 John 11:33 ἐτάραξεν etaraxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG was troubled he disturbed
G5015-12 John 12:27 τετάρακται tetaraktai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG has been troubled has been stirred up
G5015-01 John 13:21 ἐταράχθη etarachthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was troubled was stirred up
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