perhaps from τρέφω (in the sense of thickening); a clot:--great drop.
Transliteration:thrómbos
Pronunciation:throm'-bos
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term θρόμβος (transliterated as thrómbos, Strong's `{{G2361}}`) denotes a "clot" or a "thickened mass," particularly of blood. Its etymological root is often traced to τρέφω (transliterated as trephō), which primarily means "to nourish" or "to rear," but can also carry the sense of "to thicken" or "to congeal," especially in medical or physiological contexts. Thus, θρόμβος describes a substance that has become dense or coagulated, moving beyond a simple fluid state. In ancient medical literature, it refers specifically to clotted blood, a concept indicative of significant physiological distress or injury. Its semantic range is quite narrow, focusing on this specific physical phenomenon.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word θρόμβος appears only once in the New Testament, in a passage of profound theological and emotional weight: [[Luke 22:44]]. The verse, which is debated in textual criticism but widely accepted as reflecting an early tradition, describes Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane: "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Here, θρόμβος is used to qualify "drops" (often rendered as "as it were great drops" translating ὡσεὶ θρόμβοι αἵματος). The imagery conveys an extraordinary physical manifestation of inner anguish. The phrase "great drops of blood" (θρόμβοι αἵματος) suggests not merely sweat tinged with blood, but a profuse effusion where the sweat itself takes on the consistency and appearance of clotted blood. This phenomenon, known medically as hematidrosis, is a rare condition associated with extreme stress, fear, and physical exertion, where capillaries near sweat glands rupture, mixing blood with sweat. The context is Jesus' desperate prayer before His crucifixion, grappling with the immense burden of sin and the impending suffering. This vivid description underscores the intensity of His spiritual and physical struggle, revealing the depth of His human experience of agony.
### Related Words & Concepts
While θρόμβος itself is unique in the New Testament, its meaning connects to several related concepts. The most immediate is αἷμα (haima, `{{G129}}`), meaning "blood," as θρόμβος specifically describes clotted blood. The broader concept of "sweat" (ἱδρὼς, hidrōs, `{{G2441}}`) is also directly linked in [[Luke 22:44]], highlighting the unusual nature of this particular perspiration. The theological concept of "agony" (ἀγωνία, agōnia, `{{G73}}`), also present in [[Luke 22:44]], provides the emotional and spiritual context for the physical manifestation of θρόμβος. Furthermore, it relates to the broader themes of "suffering" (πάθημα, pathēma, `{{G3804}}`), "pain" (ὀδύνη, odynē, `{{G3601}}`), and "sacrifice" (θυσία, thusia, `{{G2378}}`). The unique appearance of θρόμβος in this verse emphasizes the extremity of Christ's human experience, linking His physical distress directly to the spiritual burden He bore.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of θρόμβος in [[Luke 22:44]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark testament to the full humanity of Jesus Christ. His capacity to experience such extreme physical and emotional agony, to the point of sweating blood, affirms that He was truly "flesh and blood" ([[Hebrews 2:14]]). This is not a mere symbolic representation but a vivid portrayal of His identification with human suffering in its most acute form. The "great drops of blood" signify the immense pressure and horror of bearing the world's sin and facing the wrath of God on the cross. It underscores the reality and intensity of His atoning work, demonstrating the immeasurable cost of redemption. The agony in Gethsemane, culminating in this physical manifestation, reveals the depth of Christ's obedience to the Father's will, even unto death, and the profound love that propelled Him to endure such suffering for humanity's salvation. It is a powerful image of His pre-crucifixion suffering, an initial outpouring of the blood that would ultimately be shed on Calvary.
### Summary
The Greek word θρόμβος (`{{G2361}}`), meaning "clot" or "thickened mass," particularly of blood, is a rare but exceptionally potent term in the New Testament. Its sole appearance in [[Luke 22:44]] describes Jesus' sweat in Gethsemane as "great drops of blood," a vivid portrayal of extreme physical and spiritual agony. This unique usage underscores the intensity of Christ's suffering before the cross, affirming His complete humanity and His profound identification with human weakness and pain. Theologically, θρόμβος serves as a powerful witness to the reality and depth of Christ's atoning sacrifice, highlighting the immense cost of redemption and His unwavering obedience and love in the face of unparalleled distress. It stands as a poignant reminder of the Gethsemane agony, a crucial prelude to the crucifixion itself.
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