from ἔκθαμβος; to astonish utterly:--affright, greatly (sore) amaze.
Transliteration:ekthambéō
Pronunciation:ek-tham-beh'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐκθαμβέω (ekthambéō, `{{G1568}}`) is an intensified form derived from the root noun θάμβος (thambos, `{{G2285}}`), meaning "amazement" or "terror." The prefix ἔκ- (ek-) serves to intensify the core meaning, indicating a profound and overwhelming state of being taken aback. Thus, ἐκθαμβέω signifies an astonishment that is utterly profound, often bordering on dread, fear, or dismay. It goes beyond mere surprise, conveying a sense of being completely overwhelmed, startled, or even horrified by an event or revelation. The English translations "affright," "greatly amaze," or "sorely amaze" capture its nuance of intense, often unsettling, emotional impact. It describes a reaction that leaves one utterly confounded and deeply affected.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Intriguingly, ἐκθαμβέω (ekthambéō, `{{G1568}}`) is found exclusively in the Gospel of Mark, appearing only four times, each at a moment of significant theological import:
* **[[Mark 9:15]]**: Following the Transfiguration, as Jesus and the three disciples descend the mountain, "the whole crowd, when they saw Him, were greatly amazed (ἐξεθαμβήθησαν) and ran up to greet Him." Here, the amazement is likely a combination of awe, wonder, and perhaps a touch of reverential fear, possibly due to a lingering aura from the Transfiguration or simply the sudden appearance of Jesus and His disciples. It marks a moment of profound recognition of Jesus' unique presence.
* **[[Mark 14:33]]**: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus "began to be greatly distressed and troubled (ἤρξατο ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι καὶ ἀδημονεῖν)." This is a powerful depiction of Jesus' profound agony and inner turmoil in the face of His impending suffering and death. The word here conveys not just distress, but an overwhelming sense of dread, horror, and fear. It underscores the full humanity of Christ as He grapples with the weight of sin and separation from the Father, even as He remains obedient.
* **[[Mark 16:5]]**: At the empty tomb, the women enter and "saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe; and they were amazed (ἐξεθαμβήθησαν)." This amazement is a reaction to the supernatural sight—the angelic messenger—and the inexplicable emptiness of the tomb. It is a mix of awe, shock, and fear in the face of the divine revelation.
* **[[Mark 16:6]]**: Immediately following, the young man addresses their reaction, stating, "Do not be amazed (μὴ ἐκθαμβεῖσθε)." This command serves to redirect their overwhelming fear and confusion towards understanding and faith in the resurrection message. It transforms their initial terror into a call to embrace the good news.
In each instance, ἐκθαμβέω marks a moment of intense emotional response to a divine or divinely significant event, highlighting the human reaction to the transcendent.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words share semantic overlap or are closely related to ἐκθαμβέω (ekthambéō, `{{G1568}}`):
* **θάμβος (thambos, `{{G2285}}`)**: The root noun, meaning "amazement," "wonder," or "terror." It is the core concept from which ἐκθαμβέω is intensified.
* **θαμβέω (thambeō, `{{G2284}}`)**: The simpler verb, "to be amazed" or "astonished." ἐκθαμβέω is its more emphatic counterpart.
* **ἔκστασις (ekstasis, `{{G1611}}`)**: "Ecstasy," "trance," or "standing outside oneself." Often denotes a state of profound emotional or mental alteration, sometimes resulting from divine encounter. While ἐκθαμβέω focuses on the immediate shock, ἔκστασις describes the resulting state.
* **φοβέω (phobeō, `{{G5399}}`)**: "To fear," "be afraid." The element of fear or dread is often present in the experience of ἐκθαμβέω.
* **ταράσσω (tarassō, `{{G5015}}`)**: "To trouble," "disturb," "agitate." This word describes a state of inner turmoil, which can accompany the profound distress indicated by ἐκθαμβέω, especially in [[Mark 14:33]].
* The broader concept of "awe" – a complex emotion combining wonder, reverence, and fear – is central to understanding the range of ἐκθαμβέω.
### Theological Significance
The exclusive use of ἐκθαμβέω (ekthambéō, `{{G1568}}`) in Mark's Gospel is highly significant. Mark's narrative style is often characterized by immediacy and vivid portrayal of human emotion, and this word contributes to that intensity.
1. **Encounter with the Divine**: The word consistently marks moments of profound encounter with the divine or supernatural. Whether it is the crowd's reaction to Jesus after the Transfiguration, the women's awe at the angelic messenger, or Jesus' own agony, ἐκθαμβέω highlights the overwhelming nature of God's presence and activity in the world. It underscores that human beings are profoundly affected when confronted with the sacred and the extraordinary.
2. **The Humanity of Christ**: Perhaps most poignantly, the use of ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι to describe Jesus' state in Gethsemane ([[Mark 14:33]]) offers a profound theological insight into His full humanity. It reveals a Christ who genuinely experiences the deepest human emotions, including dread and overwhelming fear, in the face of suffering and the weight of sin. This portrayal enhances our understanding of His identification with humanity and the true cost of His atoning work, making His sacrifice all the more real and impactful.
3. **From Fear to Faith**: The narrative at the empty tomb ([[Mark 16:5-6]]) illustrates a crucial theological trajectory. The initial "amazement" of the women, born of fear and confusion, is immediately met with the angelic command, "Do not be amazed." This transition from a natural, overwhelming human reaction to a divine imperative for faith is central to the Gospel message. It suggests that while human beings may initially respond to God's mighty acts with terror, the ultimate call is to move beyond that fear into understanding, belief, and proclamation of the resurrection.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐκθαμβέω (ekthambéō, `{{G1568}}`) denotes an intense, overwhelming astonishment, often accompanied by elements of fear, dread, or dismay. Its exclusive appearance in Mark's Gospel highlights pivotal moments of divine encounter: the crowd's reaction to Jesus after the Transfiguration, Jesus' profound agony in Gethsemane, and the women's initial shock at the empty tomb. Theologically, it underscores both the awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying nature of divine revelation, as well as the profound and genuine humanity of Christ in His suffering. Furthermore, its use at the tomb illustrates the Gospel's call to transition from a natural, fearful human response to the supernatural, towards a confident faith in the face of God's redemptive work. It is a powerful word that captures the raw, immediate emotional impact of encountering the sacred and the profound reality of Christ's passion and resurrection.
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