from θάμβος; to stupefy (with surprise), i.e. astound:--amaze, astonish.
Transliteration:thambéō
Pronunciation:tham-beh'-o
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G2284 (*thambéō*) is derived from the noun G2285 (*thambos*), which signifies "astonishment, wonder, amazement, awe." Therefore, the core meaning of *thambéō* is "to be amazed, astonished, struck with wonder, to be awestruck." It describes a profound emotional and mental state caused by something extraordinary, unexpected, or divinely powerful.
This is not a mere surprise, but a deep, overwhelming astonishment that can border on stupefaction or even fear. The surprise is so great that it can momentarily paralyze or disorient the individual. It often implies a reaction to something that transcends normal human experience or understanding. The semantic range of *thambéō* thus extends from simple astonishment to a state of being utterly overwhelmed, frequently carrying an element of fear or reverential awe. It is typically employed to describe reactions to miracles, powerful teachings, or divine manifestations.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
*Thambéō* appears a limited number of times in the New Testament, primarily within the Gospels and Acts, underscoring its specific use in describing powerful human reactions to divine encounters or extraordinary events related to Jesus' ministry.
* **[[Mark 1:27]]**: "And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him." Here, *thambéō* describes the crowd's reaction to Jesus casting out an unclean spirit with unprecedented authority. Their profound astonishment leads to questioning and a nascent recognition of His unique power and teaching.
* **[[Mark 10:24]]**: "And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!" In this instance, *thambéō* expresses the disciples' profound astonishment at Jesus' challenging teaching regarding wealth and entry into the Kingdom. This is not a reaction to a miracle, but to a spiritual truth that overturns their deeply held cultural and religious assumptions, causing a disorienting sense of wonder.
* **[[Mark 10:32]]**: "And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him," Here, *thambéō* describes the disciples' reaction to Jesus' determined and purposeful pace towards Jerusalem. Coupled with the subsequent mention of fear (*phobeō*), it suggests an apprehension and awe concerning Jesus' resolute, almost foreboding, journey towards His passion, a journey they do not yet fully comprehend but sense its profound and grave significance.
* **[[Mark 14:33]]**: "And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;" This is a unique and profoundly significant use of *thambéō*, as it describes Jesus' own emotional state in Gethsemane. He is "sore amazed" or "deeply distressed/astonished" by the overwhelming weight of the impending suffering and the cup He is to drink. This indicates an overwhelming, almost stupefying, anguish that transcends normal human comprehension, underscoring the depth of His identification with humanity's suffering and the unique nature of His atoning work.
* **[[Acts 9:6]]**: "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." This verse describes Saul's (Paul's) reaction to the blinding light and voice of the resurrected Christ on the Damascus road. The combination of "trembling" and *thambéō* emphasizes the overwhelming, fear-inducing, and utterly transformative nature of this divine encounter, which completely disrupted his previous understanding and identity.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **G2285 (θάμβος - *thambos*):** The noun from which *thambéō* is derived, meaning "amazement, wonder, awe." It is the foundational concept of profound astonishment.
* **G1605 (ἐκπλήσσω - *ekplēssō*):** To strike out, to strike with astonishment, to amaze. While often used similarly to *thambéō*, *ekplēssō* can imply a more outward, demonstrative shock, whereas *thambéō* frequently suggests a deeper, internal stupefaction. For example, the crowds are *ekplēssō* at Jesus' teaching in [[Matthew 7:28]].
* **G1839 (ἐξίστημι - *existēmi*):** To stand out from, to be beside oneself, to be amazed, to be out of one's mind. This word often carries a connotation of being "out of one's senses" due to astonishment or ecstasy, as seen in [[Mark 2:12]] after the paralytic is healed.
* **G5087 (θαυμάζω - *thaumazō*):** To wonder, to marvel, to be amazed. This is a broader term for wonder or admiration, often without the same intensity of shock or stupefaction implied by *thambéō*. It can denote a more positive or appreciative form of wonder.
* **Fear and Awe:** *Thambéō* frequently co-occurs with or implies elements of fear (*phobos*) or reverential awe, especially when the cause of the astonishment is divine power or a supernatural event. The overwhelming nature of the event can induce both wonder and apprehension.
### Theological Significance
The use of *thambéō* in the New Testament carries significant theological weight, particularly in its consistent connection to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
* **Divine Authority and Power:** When people are *thambéō* by Jesus' miracles or teachings (e.g., [[Mark 1:27]]), it powerfully underscores the supernatural origin and divine authority of His ministry. Their profound astonishment is a natural human response to encountering the divine breaking into the mundane, serving as a compelling testimony to His unique identity as the Son of God.
* **Challenging Human Expectations:** The disciples' astonishment at Jesus' teachings (e.g., [[Mark 10:24]]) reveals how radical and counter-cultural His kingdom ethics were. *Thambéō* here signifies a profound cognitive dissonance, a challenge to deeply ingrained human assumptions about righteousness, wealth, and salvation. It compels a re-evaluation of their understanding of God's ways, demonstrating that divine truth often transcends human wisdom.
* **Jesus' Humanity and Suffering:** The most poignant and theologically profound use of *thambéō* is in [[Mark 14:33]], where Jesus Himself is "sore amazed" in Gethsemane. This reveals the true and full humanity of Christ, His capacity for profound emotional and spiritual anguish in the face of the cross. It is not a sign of weakness or lack of faith, but an expression of the immense, incomprehensible weight of sin and divine wrath He was about to bear. This moment of His own *thambéō* underscores the depth of His sacrificial love and His complete identification with human weakness and suffering, even as He remains divine.
* **Encounter with the Risen Christ:** Saul's *thambéō* on the Damascus road ([[Acts 9:6]]) signifies the overwhelming and transformative power of an encounter with the resurrected Lord. It is a moment of radical conversion, where human will and understanding are utterly broken and reshaped by divine revelation. This experience of being "stupefied" by God's presence is often a precursor to a new spiritual reality and mission.
* **Call to Reverence:** The recurring theme of *thambéō* in response to divine action serves as a call to reverence and awe before God's power and mystery. It reminds believers that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension, eliciting a response of humble wonder and worship rather than easy understanding or casual familiarity.
### Summary
The Greek verb *thambéō* (G2284) denotes a profound state of astonishment, amazement, or stupefaction, often bordering on fear or awe. Derived from the noun *thambos* (G2285), it describes an overwhelming reaction to something extraordinary, unexpected, or divinely powerful. In the New Testament, *thambéō* is primarily used in the Gospels and Acts to depict human responses to Jesus' miraculous works and authoritative teachings, highlighting the profound impact of His divine nature on those who witnessed Him. Significant instances include the crowds' reaction to Jesus' authority over spirits ([[Mark 1:27]]), the disciples' astonishment at His challenging words about wealth ([[Mark 10:24]]) and His resolute journey to Jerusalem ([[Mark 10:32]]), and Saul's transformative encounter with the resurrected Christ ([[Acts 9:6]]). Most uniquely, *thambéō* describes Jesus' own deep distress and amazement in Gethsemane ([[Mark 14:33]]), underscoring His full humanity and the immense weight of His impending suffering. Theologically, *thambéō* emphasizes the divine authority of Christ, the challenging nature of His kingdom message, the depth of His human suffering, and the transformative power of encountering the living God, ultimately calling believers to a posture of reverent awe before the Holy.
TRV