ὀχλοποιέω

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ochlopoiéō, represented by G3792, means to make a crowd, i.e. raise a public disturbance. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The term specifically describes the act of gathering a company or assembling a mob, typically for the purpose of creating a public uproar.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single biblical use of G3792 is found in Acts 17:5, where unbelieving G544 Jews G2453, "moved with envy" G2206, took action against the early believers. They gathered a company by recruiting "certain lewd G4190 fellows of the baser sort" G60. This act of forming a mob was the direct catalyst for the subsequent chaos, as they proceeded to set the city G4172 on an uproar G2350 and assaulted the house G3614 of Jason G2394.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words in the passage illuminate the context of this action:

• G2206 zēlóō (moved with envy): This word, meaning "to have warmth of feeling for or against," establishes the hostile motivation behind gathering the crowd. It is used to describe the envy of the patriarchs towards Joseph Acts 7:9 and is contrasted with charity 1 Corinthians 13:4.
• G4190 ponērós (lewd): This adjective describes the "hurtful, i.e. evil" character of the men recruited for the mob. The term is used elsewhere to describe an evil man bringing forth evil from his heart Luke 6:45 and is the evil from which believers are to be delivered Matthew 6:13.
• G2350 thorybéō (set on an uproar): This verb, meaning "to be in tumult, i.e. disturb, clamor," describes the direct and intended result of gathering the company. It is also used when Jesus quiets those "making a noise" in the ruler's house Matthew 9:23.

Theological Significance

The sole occurrence of G3792 carries significant weight in understanding tactics of opposition to the gospel.

• Hostility Fueled by Envy: The act of gathering a company was not a random event but a calculated response driven by the envy G2206 of those who would not believe G544 Acts 17:5.
• Deliberate Association with Evil: The agitators purposefully "took unto them" G4355 certain lewd G4190 and base G60 men to form their mob, illustrating a willingness to align with wickedness to achieve their aims.
• Creating Public Tumult: The ultimate goal was to "set all the city on an uproar" G2350 and assault the house of a believer G2394, showing how public disturbance was used as a weapon against the early church.

Summary

In summary, G3792 is a highly specific term for the act of assembling a disruptive mob. Though rare, its single appearance in scripture provides a clear illustration of malicious intent. It encapsulates the process of taking envious motives and translating them into public chaos by deliberately gathering a company of wicked individuals to oppose the work of the believers in the city.