Lexical Summary enochleó: To trouble, to disturb, to annoy Original Word: ἐνοχλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance trouble. From en and ochleo; to crowd in, i.e. (figuratively) to annoy -- trouble. see GREEK en see GREEK ochleo HELPS Word-studies 1776 enoxléō (from 1722 /en, "in," which intensifies 3791 /oxléō, "to mob") – properly, in (amongst) a tumultuous crowd (mob); (figuratively) to vex someone, as with the force of a raging mob (a mighty momentum) to carry someone along. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and ochleó Definition to crowd in, i.e. to annoy NASB Translation causes trouble (1), troubled (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1776: ἐνοχλέωἐνοχλέω, ἐνόχλω; (present passive participle ἐνοχλουμενος); (ὀχλέω, from ὄχλος a crowd, annoyance); in the classics from Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato on; to excite disturbance, to trouble, annoy, (ἐν, in a person); in Greek writings followed by both τινα and τίνι; passive with ἀπό τίνος, Luke 6:18 T Tr WH; absolutely of the growth of a poisonous plant, figuratively representing the man who corrupts the faith, piety, character, of the Christian church: Hebrews 12:15 from Deuteronomy 29:18 after manuscript Alex. which gives ἐνοχλῇ for ἐν χολή, which agreeably to the Hebrew text is the reading of Vat. (Genesis 48:1; 1 Samuel 19:14, etc.) (Compare: παρενοχλέω.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Semantic Nuances The verb ἐνοχλέω (Strong’s 1776) depicts acute disturbance that presses in upon a person or a community. It moves beyond mild irritation to describe harassing pressure that hampers well-being, whether physically, psychologically, or spiritually. In secular Koine it could describe the uproar of a mob, repeated legal harassment, or incessant demands placed upon an individual. When Scripture employs the term, the context elevates the idea to the realm of spiritual bondage and moral danger. New Testament Occurrences 1. Luke 6:18 – “and those troubled by unclean spirits were cured.” The participle ἐνοχλούμενοι spotlights people oppressed (“mobbed”) by evil spirits. The disturbance is so severe that ordinary life is disrupted until Jesus’ authoritative word restores wholeness. Luke pairs physical diseases with demonic harassment, stressing that Christ’s messianic mission addresses both. The verb thus conveys the felt intensity of demonic captivity while simultaneously magnifying the sufficiency of the Savior’s deliverance. 2. Hebrews 12:15 – “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.” Here ἐνοχλῇ underscores the communal damage wrought when bitterness is allowed to germinate. What begins as an internal resentment grows into an invasive “root” that agitates the fellowship, unsettling faith and purity. The term pictures the spread of spiritual unrest as something like a crowd pressing in, overwhelming spiritual sightlines and choking grace. Historical and Linguistic Background In Hellenistic literature ἐνοχλέω appears in legal papyri for vexatious litigation and in narratives for the disruptive ruckus of crowds. The compound prefix ἐν- adds the idea of being “in the midst of” the turmoil. The Septuagint employs cognate nouns for external enemies “troubling” Israel (for example, Judges 10:12). These strands converge in the New Testament to portray both supernatural affliction (Luke) and interpersonal contagion of sin (Hebrews). Theological Significance • Spiritual Bondage and Christ’s Authority Luke 6:18 presents ἐνοχλέω within the larger Lukan theme of Messiah’s victory over forces that shatter shalom. The crowding, oppressive nature of unclean spirits mirrors the bondage of sin and death. Jesus’ cure reveals that the kingdom of God decisively displaces every “trouble” that enslaves humanity. • Communal Holiness and Vigilance Hebrews employs the verb to warn believers that unchecked bitterness can become an internal “mob,” pushing grace to the margins. The disturbance is not merely emotional; it “defile[s] many,” threatening covenant fidelity. The church is therefore called to active oversight (“See to it”) so that grace, not grievance, sets the tone of fellowship. Pastoral and Ministerial Applications 1. Deliverance Ministry Like the afflicted in Luke, individuals today may experience oppressive turmoil—whether overt demonic influence or crushing spiritual darkness. Ministers can proclaim Christ’s sufficiency and pray in His name, confident that the same authority that silenced ancient disturbances still liberates. 2. Conflict Resolution and Church Discipline Hebrews 12:15 urges leaders to identify roots of bitterness before they blossom into corporate agitation. Preventive shepherding, transparent reconciliation, and prompt correction guard the assembly from being “troubled” into impurity. 3. Personal Sanctification Believers monitor their own hearts for resentments that, if nurtured, will harass their peace and infect others. Regular self-examination in the light of grace uproots sources of disturbance. Intertextual Connections • Compare 2 Corinthians 7:5, where Paul speaks of “conflicts on the outside, fears within,” reflecting the dual dimensions (external opposition and internal unrest) implicit in ἐνοχλέω. Doctrinal Emphases • The sufficiency of grace to neutralize every form of harassment—demonic or emotional. Summary Strong’s 1776, ἐνοχλέω, paints a vivid picture of oppressive disturbance—whether invading spirits or invasive bitterness. Scripture answers both scenarios with the healing authority of Jesus Christ and the proactive guardianship of grace within the church. Pastors and believers alike are called to identify, confront, and expel every force that would “harass” the people of God, so that peace may rule and many be purified rather than defiled. Forms and Transliterations ενοχλείσθαι ενοχλείται ενοχλη ενοχλή ἐνοχλῇ ενοχλήται ενοχλούμενα ενοχλουμενοι ἐνοχλούμενοι ηνωχλήθην enochle enochlē enochlêi enochlē̂i enochloumenoi enochloúmenoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 6:18 V-PPM/P-NMPGRK: καὶ οἱ ἐνοχλούμενοι ἀπὸ πνευμάτων NAS: and those who were troubled with unclean INT: and those troubled by spirits Hebrews 12:15 V-PSA-3S Strong's Greek 1776 |
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