Word Study for G2350 (θορυβέω)

thorybéō /thor-oo-beh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom θόρυβος

Meaningto be in tumult, i.e. disturb, clamor

KJV usagemake ado (a noise), trouble self, set on an uproar.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of thorybéō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word thorybéō, represented by G2350, describes a state of tumult or clamor. Derived from θόρυβος, it means to be in tumult, disturb, or clamor, and is translated as to "make ado (a noise), trouble self, set on an uproar." It appears 6 times across 4 unique verses, illustrating its use in contexts of both large-scale public disorder and personal distress.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G2350 is used to describe specific reactions to pivotal events. In Acts, unbelieving Jews who were "moved with envy" G2206 "set all the city on an uproar" to oppose the apostles' ministry Acts 17:5. The word also depicts the scene of mourning at a ruler's house, where Jesus saw people "making a noise" Matthew 9:23. In a similar account, Jesus challenges the mourners, asking, "Why make ye this ado G2350, and weep?" Mark 5:39. In contrast, Paul uses the term to quell a panicked crowd, instructing them "Trouble not yourselves" G2350 after Eutychus is restored to life Acts 20:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which G2350 appears:

G3792 ochlopoiéō (gather a company): This verb, meaning to "raise a public disturbance," is used alongside G2350 to show the deliberate act of creating civil unrest in Acts 17:5.
G2799 klaíō (weep): Defined as to "wail aloud," this word is paired with the "ado" G2350 that Jesus addresses, highlighting the audible and emotional nature of the crowd's grief Mark 5:39.
G2206 zēlóō (moved with envy): This word, meaning "to have warmth of feeling for or against," reveals the internal motivation that fueled the public uproar incited by opponents of the gospel in Acts 17:5.
G544 apeithéō (disbelieved not): Meaning "to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)," this identifies the spiritual state of those who chose to "set all the city on an uproar" rather than accept the apostles' message Acts 17:5.

Theological Significance

The use of G2350 carries significant thematic weight, often contrasting worldly chaos with divine order.

Disorder as Opposition to Truth: The word is directly linked to active opposition against the gospel. The uproar in Acts 17:5 is not a random event but a calculated disruption stirred by envy and disbelief.
Misplaced Human Tumult: In the mourning scenes, the clamor of the crowd is presented as a misplaced reaction. Jesus rebukes the "ado" because it stems from a limited, human perspective that fails to see His power over death Mark 5:39.
A Call for Divine Peace: Paul's command, "Trouble not yourselves" G2350, demonstrates a righteous response to a crisis. It is a call to replace fear-driven clamor with faith-filled peace, trusting that God is in control Acts 20:10.

Summary

In summary, G2350 is a potent word that captures the essence of disorder, from public riots to the clamor of personal grief. It consistently appears in moments where human chaos confronts divine action. Whether describing the uproar of a hostile crowd or the ado of mourning, thorybéō serves to underscore the contrast between the turbulent reactions of the world and the peace and life that are found in Christ.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Passive Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Passive Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Passive Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
Present Passive Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×

Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (2 verses); never once in the other 24.

Matthew

Mark

Acts

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.