English · KJV
G4682

σπαράσσω

sparássō /spar-as'-so/ Ask about this word
Rootprolongation from (to grasp; apparently strengthened from σπάω through the idea of spasmodic contraction)
Meaningto mangle, i.e. convluse with epilepsy
KJV usagerend, tear.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sparássō — 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 sparássō, represented by G4682, describes a violent physical action. Its definition is to mangle, rend, or tear, and it is specifically used to mean to convulse with epilepsy. This powerful term appears 4 times across 4 unique verses, exclusively depicting the severe effects of demonic influence on a person.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4682 is used consistently to illustrate the physical torment caused by unclean spirits. When a spirit is confronted, it often reacts by violently convulsing its victim. For example, when a boy is brought to Jesus, the spirit "tare" him, causing him to fall and wallow on the ground Mark 9:20. This action is portrayed as a final, desperate act of a departing spirit, which "rent" the boy sore before coming out of him Mark 9:26. The term is also used when an unclean spirit had "torn" a man before crying out and leaving him Mark 1:26. In another account, a spirit "teareth" a child, causing him to foam at the mouth Luke 9:39.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words appear alongside G4682, further illustrating the scene of spiritual affliction:

  • G2896 krázō (to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)): This word often accompanies the convulsion, describing how the spirit "cried" out during the event (Mark 1:26, Mark 9:26).
  • G875 aphrízō (to froth at the mouth (in epilepsy)): This verb describes a direct physical symptom of the convulsion, as seen when the possessed boy was "foaming" after the spirit tare him Mark 9:20.
  • G876 aphrós (froth, i.e. slaver): Similar to the verb form, this noun is used to describe the state of the one being torn, noting that the spirit teareth him that he "foameth" Luke 9:39.
  • G4937 syntríbō (to crush completely, i.e. to shatter (literally or figuratively)): This term is used to describe the lasting harm of the attack, as the spirit departs after "bruising" him Luke 9:39.

Theological Significance

The use of G4682 carries significant weight in understanding the nature of demonic oppression in the Gospels.

  • Violent Manifestation: The word graphically portrays demonic activity not as a subtle temptation but as a physically destructive and agonizing force that mangles the human body, as when a spirit would "tare" a person Mark 9:20.
  • Climax of Conflict: Tearing or convulsing often marks the peak of a spiritual confrontation, occurring immediately before an unclean spirit is cast out (Mark 1:26, Mark 9:26). It represents a final, violent resistance to divine authority.
  • Associated Symptoms: The convulsions are consistently linked with other severe symptoms like crying out Mark 9:26, foaming (Mark 9:20, Luke 9:39), and bruising Luke 9:39, creating a complete picture of the victim's suffering.

Summary

In summary, G4682 sparássō is a specific and powerful verb used exclusively to describe the physical horror of demonic possession. It is not a general term for tearing but is precisely applied to the violent convulsions inflicted upon individuals by spirits. Its consistent usage across four separate instances in the Gospels paints a vivid and distressing picture of the physical reality of spiritual warfare and the severe torment from which individuals were delivered.

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 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Neuter 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter
Neuter grammatical gender.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G2896 κράζω a primary verb; properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intrea G875 ἀφρίζω from ἀφρός; to froth at the mouth (in epilepsy):--foam. G876 ἀφρός apparently a primary word; froth, i.e. slaver:--foaming. G4937 συντρίβω from σύν and the base of τρίβος; to crush completely, i.e. to shatter (literally or figuratively):--break (in pieces), b

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 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark (3 verses); never once in the other 25.

3
Mark
1
Luke

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.