2360. throeó

Lexical Summary

throeó: To be troubled, to be alarmed, to be disturbed

Original Word: θροέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: throeó
Pronunciation: thro-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (thro-eh'-o)
KJV: trouble
NASB: frightened, disturbed
Word Origin: [from threomai "to wail"]

1. to clamor
2. (by implication) to frighten

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

trouble.

From threomai to wail; to clamor, i.e. (by implication) to frighten -- trouble.

HELPS Word-studies

2360 throéō (from throos, "clamor, tumult") – properly, unsettled (thrown into confusion, WS, 953); (figuratively) troubled (disturbed), wanting to "cry aloud, to scream (passive) because terrified" (WP, 1, 189); thrown into an "emotional uproar," i.e. very upset (alarmed, startled).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from throos (a noise, tumult)
Definition
to be troubled
NASB Translation
disturbed (1), frightened (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2360: θροέω

θροέω, θρόω: (θρως clamor, tumult); in Greek writings to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry; in the N. T. to trouble, frighten; passive present θρωυμαι to be troubled in mind, to be frightened, alarmed: Matthew 24:6 (Buttmann, 243 (209)); Mark 13:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; (1 aorist participle θροηθεντες, Luke 24:37 Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading). (Song of Solomon 5:4.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 2360 surfaces at critical moments when believers might be tempted to panic at unsettling news. It describes the agitation that rises when outward circumstances threaten inward peace, and each inspired occurrence addresses the believer’s response to such alarm.

Occurrences and Immediate Context

• Matthew 24:6 and Mark 13:7 record Jesus’ Olivet Discourse: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Here, worldly upheaval is acknowledged yet placed under divine sovereignty.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:2 cautions believers “not to be quickly shaken from your composure or disturbed, either by a spirit or a message or a letter purported to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come.” The concern moves from geopolitical crises to doctrinal deception, but the antidote—steadfast composure grounded in truth—remains the same.

Eschatological Framework

Each use appears in teaching about the end times. Scripture’s consistent pattern is to reveal future turbulence without permitting fear to rule the heart. Alarm over wars or rumors (Matthew, Mark) and alarm over false eschatological claims (2 Thessalonians) are both curbed by anchoring the church in Christ’s authoritative word. Prophetic revelation is therefore pastoral; it forearms saints against terror, not fuels sensationalism.

Historical Setting

First-century Judea and the wider Mediterranean world were rife with uprisings, imperial campaigns, and messianic pretenders. Early Christians also faced forged letters and spurious prophecies. Against that backdrop, the apostolic call not to be “alarmed” carried immediate pastoral weight. The instruction presupposed a living memory of Christ’s triumph over death and a developing canon that supplied doctrinal stability.

Contrast with Other Expressions of Fear

Scripture distinguishes between godly fear (reverence) and destabilizing dread. While words like phobos can be positive (Philippians 2:12), 2360 highlights fear that undermines faith’s composure. The command to resist such agitation aligns with “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10) and “Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1).

Theological Significance

1. Divine Providence: News that unsettles the world never unsettles God’s plan.
2. Sufficiency of Revelation: Accurate understanding of prophecy guards the heart.
3. Perseverance of the Saints: Refusing panic testifies to the Spirit’s sustaining work.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Preaching: Prophetic passages should be taught with the same balance Jesus modeled—realism about coming turmoil and insistence on calm trust.
• Counseling: Believers wrestling with anxiety about current events can be pointed to the risen Lord’s command not to be “alarmed,” rooting peace in His sovereignty.
• Discernment: Churches must test purported prophetic messages (1 John 4:1) to prevent needless agitation like that addressed in 2 Thessalonians.
• Worship: Corporate liturgy may incorporate prayers that confess global unrest while affirming God’s unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

Related Biblical Motifs

• “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:27).
• “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
• The repeated angelic greeting, “Do not be afraid,” marking divine intervention (Luke 2:10; Matthew 28:5).

Conclusion

Strong’s 2360 emphasizes that end-time realities, false reports, and global upheavals must never wrest lordship over the believer’s mind from Christ. The word ministers courage rooted in the character of God, the finality of the resurrection, and the clarity of inspired Scripture.

Forms and Transliterations

εθροήθη θροεισθαι θροείσθαι θροεῖσθαι θροεισθε θροείσθε θροεῖσθε throeisthai throeîsthai throeisthe throeîsthe

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 24:6 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: ὁρᾶτε μὴ θροεῖσθε Δεῖ γὰρ
NAS: See that you are not frightened, for [those things] must
KJV: that ye be not troubled: for all
INT: See [to it] not be alarmed it is necessary indeed

Mark 13:7 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: πολέμων μὴ θροεῖσθε δεῖ γενέσθαι
NAS: of wars, do not be frightened; [those things] must
KJV: not troubled: for
INT: of wars not be disturbed it must come to pass

2 Thessalonians 2:2 V-PNM/P
GRK: νοὸς μηδὲ θροεῖσθαι μήτε διὰ
NAS: or be disturbed either
KJV: mind, or be troubled, neither by
INT: mind nor to be troubled neither by

Strong's Greek 2360
3 Occurrences

θροεῖσθαι — 1 Occ.
θροεῖσθε — 2 Occ.