Original Word: θαμβέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: thambeó
Pronunciation: tham-BEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (tham-beh'-o)
Definition: To astonish, to amaze, to be astounded
Meaning: I amaze; pass: I am amazed (almost terrified).

amaze, astonish.

From thambos; to stupefy (with surprise), i.e. Astound -- amaze, astonish.

see GREEK thambos

Cognate: 2284 thambéō – to astonish, amaze (passive, dumbfounded) to the point of becoming emotionally "stalled" ("shutting down") – also implying a sense of wonder or terror (Vine, Unger, White). See 2285 (thambos).

Word Origin
from thambos
Definition
to astonish
NASB Translation
amazed (3).

STRONGS NT 2284: θαμβέω

θαμβέω, θαμβω; passive, imperfect ἐθαμβουμην; 1 aorist ἐθαμβήθην; (θάμβος, which see);

1. to be astonished: Acts 9:6 Rec. (Homer, Sophocles, Euripides)

2. to astonish, terrify: 2 Samuel 22:5; passive to be amazed: Mark 1:27; Mark 10:32; followed by ἐπί with the dative of the thing, Mark 10:24; to be frightened, 1 Macc. 6:8; Wis. 17:3; Plutarch, Caesar 45; Brut. 20. (Compare: θάμβος (allied with τάφος amazement, from a Sanskrit root signifying to render immovable; Curtius, § 233; Vanicek, p. 1130), θάμβους, τό; from Homer down; amazement: Luke 4:36; Luke 5:9; Acts 3:10.

Word Origin: From the Greek root θαμβός (thambos), meaning "amazement" or "astonishment."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for θαμβέω, similar expressions of amazement or astonishment can be found in the Hebrew Bible. For example, the Hebrew root תָּמַהּ (tamáh, Strong's Hebrew 8539) conveys a sense of wonder or astonishment, as seen in passages like Isaiah 29:9, where the people are described as being "astonished" or "amazed" at the unfolding events.

Usage: The verb θαμβέω is used in the New Testament to describe a reaction of amazement or astonishment, often in response to witnessing a miraculous event or hearing profound teaching.

Context: The Greek verb θαμβέω appears in the New Testament to convey a strong emotional response of amazement or astonishment. This reaction is typically elicited by the extraordinary nature of Jesus' miracles, teachings, or divine revelations. The term captures the profound impact that Jesus' presence and actions had on those who witnessed them.

In the Gospel accounts, θαμβέω is used to describe the reaction of the people who encountered Jesus' miraculous works. For example, in Mark 1:27 (BSB), after Jesus casts out an unclean spirit, the people are described as being "all amazed" (θαμβέω), leading them to question among themselves, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."

The use of θαμβέω underscores the divine authority and power of Jesus, which often left onlookers in a state of awe and wonder. This reaction is not merely a passive observation but an active engagement with the divine, prompting reflection and sometimes leading to a deeper understanding or faith.

The astonishment described by θαμβέω is not limited to the miraculous but also extends to the profound wisdom and authority of Jesus' teachings. In Mark 10:24 (BSB), the disciples are "amazed" (θαμβέω) at Jesus' words regarding the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, highlighting the countercultural and challenging nature of His message.

εθαμβήθη εθαμβήθην εθαμβηθησαν εθαμβήθησαν ἐθαμβήθησαν εθάμβησάν εθαμβουντο εθαμβούντο ἐθαμβοῦντο θαμβείσθαι θαμβουμένους θαμβών ethambethesan ethambēthēsan ethambḗthesan ethambḗthēsan ethambounto ethamboûntoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts