Lexical Summary embrimaomai: To be deeply moved, to sternly warn, to groan Original Word: ἐμβριμάομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance admonishFrom en and brimaomai (to snort with anger); to have indignation on, i.e. (transitively) to blame, (intransitively) to sigh with chagrin, (specially) to sternly enjoin -- straitly charge, groan, murmur against. see GREEK en HELPS Word-studies 1690 embrimáomai (from 1722 /en, "engaged in" and brimaomai, "to snort") – properly, snort like an angry horse; (literally) "snort (roar) with rage" (BAGD) which expresses strong indignation, i.e. deep feeling that is moved to sternly admonish (A-S). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and brimaomai (to snort with anger) Definition to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly NASB Translation deeply moved (2), scolding (1), sternly warned (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1690: ἐμβριμάομαιἐμβριμάομαι (see ἐν, III. 3), ἐμβριμωμαι, deponent verb, present participle ἐμβριμώμενος (John 11:38, where Tdf. ἐμβριμουμενος; see ἐρωτάω, at the beginning); imperfect 3 person plural ἐνεβριμῶντο (Mark 14:5, where Tdf. ἐμβριμουντο, cf. ἐρωτάω as above); 1 aorist ἐνεβριμησαμην, and (Matthew 9:30 L T Tr WH) ἐνεβριμήθην (Buttmann, 52 (46)); (βριμάομαι, from βρίμη, to be moved with anger); to snort in (of horses; German dareinschnauben): Aeschylus sept. 461; to be very angry, to be moved with indignation: τίνι (Libanius), Mark 14:5 (see above); absolutely, with addition of ἐν ἑαυτῷ, John 11:38; with the dative of respect, John 11:33. In a sense unknown to secular authors, to charge with earnest admonition, sternly to charge, threateningly to enjoin: Matthew 9:30; Mark 1:43. Topical Lexicon Semantic Nuanceἐμβριμάομαι (Strong’s Greek 1690) portrays an intense, internal agitation that breaks the surface in audible or visible form—“to snort,” “to bristle,” “to flare with indignation,” or “to issue a strict charge.” The verb does not describe petty irritation; it signals a visceral reaction to evil, unbelief, or irreverence and includes the idea of decisive action born of that reaction. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Mark 1:43 – After cleansing a leper, “Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning”. Contextual Observations • Protective Command: In Mark 1 and Matthew 9, the verb relates to Jesus’ urgent injunctions. The healing demanded silence, not for lack of compassion, but to prevent shallow publicity from hindering His mission (Mark 1:45). ἐμβριμάομαι signals pastoral guardianship over both the healed and the message. • Righteous Indignation: Mark 14:5 shows the verb on other lips—those who “scolded” the woman in Simon’s house. Their indignation, though intense, was misdirected. The same verb thus exposes hearts: it may serve godly purpose or reveal self-righteousness. • Grief Charged with Resolve: In John 11 the term twice captures Christ’s reaction to the devastation of death and the unbelief mingled with the mourners’ grief. The emotion is not helpless sorrow; it is the throbbing of divine compassion conjoined with holy resolve to confront death itself. Theological Significance 1. Revelation of Divine Emotion Jesus’ use of ἐμβριμάομαι shows that genuine holiness is never emotionally sterile. The Son of God is “deeply moved” by human suffering and by the disorder that sin introduces into creation. 2. The Intersection of Compassion and Authority The same verb describes both Jesus’ grief-laden agitation (John 11) and His earnest commands (Mark 1; Matthew 9). Compassion therefore does not cancel authority; it fuels it. The Lord’s sternness safeguards His redemptive compassion from exploitation or misunderstanding. 3. Eschatological Overtones In John 11 the agitation anticipates the cross and the ultimate shattering of death at the resurrection. The groaning points beyond Lazarus’ tomb to the cosmic undoing of the grave (1 Corinthians 15:26). Pastoral Applications • Christlike Ministry Balances Tenderness and Sternness Shepherds who reflect their Master will both “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and speak forthrightly when truth or souls are endangered. • Holy Anger Versus Sinful Anger Indignation per se is not sin; its object, motive, and expression determine its moral quality (Ephesians 4:26). ἐμβριμάομαι reminds believers that zeal can be sanctified or misdirected. • Guarding the Gospel from Sensationalism Jesus’ strict charges following miracles discourage publicity that trades on spectacle. Modern proclamation must likewise resist market-driven sensationalism and remain tethered to the cross. Historical Background In extra-biblical Greek the cognate brítomai could describe a war-horse’s fierce snort before battle. First-century hearers would picture a strong, controlled surge of emotion, not a passing whim. The Gospel writers harness that imagery to portray the Messiah’s powerful yet purposeful stirring. Summary ἐμβριμάομαι records some of the most vivid moments in the Gospels, where compassion, anger, and authoritative speech converge in the person of Jesus Christ. It discloses His heartfelt opposition to evil, His protective care over the healed, and His unwavering resolve to conquer death. For the Church today, the verb urges a ministry that feels deeply, speaks plainly, and acts decisively for the glory of God and the good of His people. Forms and Transliterations εμβριμήματι εμβριμησαμενος εμβριμησάμενος ἐμβριμησάμενος εμβριμωμενος εμβριμώμενος ἐμβριμώμενος ενεβριμηθη ἐνεβριμήθη ενεβριμησατο ενεβριμήσατο ἐνεβριμήσατο ενεβριμωντο ενεβριμώντο ἐνεβριμῶντο embrimesamenos embrimesámenos embrimēsamenos embrimēsámenos embrimomenos embrimōmenos embrimṓmenos enebrimesato enebrimēsato enebrimḗsato enebrimethe enebrimēthē enebrimḗthe enebrimḗthē enebrimonto enebrimônto enebrimōnto enebrimō̂ntoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 9:30 V-AIP-3SGRK: ὀφθαλμοί Καὶ ἐνεβριμήθη αὐτοῖς ὁ NAS: And Jesus sternly warned them: See KJV: Jesus straitly charged them, INT: eyes and strictly instructed them Mark 1:43 V-APM-NMS Mark 14:5 V-IIM/P-3P John 11:33 V-AIM-3S John 11:38 V-PPM/P-NMS Strong's Greek 1690 |
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