The Greek word thymóō, represented by G2373, is a term that means to put in a passion, i.e. enrage:--be wroth. It appears just 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, highlighting its highly specific application in scripture. Its definition is derived from the word θυμός, pointing directly to a state of being enraged or put into a passion.
In the biblical narrative, G2373 is used in a single, dramatic context. It describes the reaction of King Herod when he realized he had been deceived by the wise men. The scripture states that when Herod saw he was mocked, he "was exceeding wroth" Matthew 2:16. This intense anger is presented as the direct motivation for his subsequent command to kill the young children in and around Bethlehem.
Several related words from its only context help illuminate the meaning of G2373:
- G2264 Hērṓdēs (heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings): This identifies the person who experienced the rage described by G2373. His actions are central to the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Matthew 2:16.
- G1702 empaízō (to jeer at, i.e. deride:--mock): This word provides the cause for Herod's anger. It was the feeling of being "mocked" that provoked him to become wroth Matthew 2:16.
- G3029 lían (much (adverbially):--exceeding, great(-ly), sore, very (+ chiefest)): This adverb intensifies the emotion, showing that Herod's reaction was not minor irritation but an extreme rage, as he was "exceeding wroth" Matthew 2:16.
- G337 anairéō (to take up, i.e. adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e. abolish, murder:--put to death, kill, slay, take away, take up): This word describes the violent result of Herod's wrath, as he sent forth and "slew" all the children Matthew 2:16.
The significance of G2373, despite its single use, is tied directly to its role in the nativity account.
- The Anger of Earthly Power: The term is used exclusively to describe the fury of a human king, Herod G2264, when his authority is challenged and he feels mocked by the wise men Matthew 2:16.
- A Catalyst for Violence: The state of being "wroth" is not a passive emotion in this context. It is the immediate trigger for Herod's violent decree to slay G337 the innocent children of Bethlehem in an attempt to destroy the infant Jesus.
In summary, G2373 is a specific and potent term for enraged passion. Its solitary appearance in scripture is unforgettable, defining the furious emotional state of King Herod that directly led to the Massacre of the Innocents. It illustrates how a single, rare word can precisely capture the volatile human emotion that serves as the motivation for a pivotal and tragic event in the biblical narrative.
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