What does θαμβέω (thambéō) mean in the Bible?
θαμβέω (thambéō): Astonishment that combines amazement with underlying fear or dread, often triggered by divine power or authority
Greek · G2284
θαμβέω
θαμβέω (thambéō): Astonishment that combines amazement with underlying fear or dread, often triggered by divine power or authority
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
θαμβέωG2284
Pronunciationthambéō
What does θαμβέω (thambéō) mean in the Bible?
Full entry for θαμβέω (G2284) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G2284?
The BSB source-word alignment has 3 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include were amazed (2), [The disciples] were amazed (1).
Where does θαμβέω (thambéō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Mark 1:27. Its strongest book concentrations include Mark (3).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itwere amazed2×Mark 1:27, Mark 10:24
[The disciples] were amazed1×Mark 10:32
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowMark 1:27
Aligned rows3
Books represented1
Mark3
Source forms
ἐθαμβοῦντο2xethambountoMark 10:24, Mark 10:32
ἐθαμβήθησαν1xethambēthēsanMark 1:27
Parsing patterns
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural2xMark 10:24, Mark 10:32
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural1xMark 1:27
Evidence Summary
Greek word. Astonishment that combines amazement with underlying fear or dread, often triggered by divine power or authority
Source Gloss
to astonish
Extended definitionSource: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Astonishment that combines amazement with underlying fear or dread, often triggered by divine power or authority
(θάμβος) [in LXX for בָּעַת ni., pi., etc. ;]
1to be amazed.
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
4 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Mark 1:27Verb Third Person Plural Aorist Passive Indicative
ἐθαμβήθησανeqambhqhsan
I amaze
Read verseMark 10:24Verb Third Person Plural Imperfect Passive Indicative
ἐθαμβοῦντοeqambounto
I amaze
Read verseMark 10:32Verb Third Person Plural Imperfect Passive Indicative
ἐθαμβοῦντο,eqambounto
I amaze
Read verseActs 9:6Verb Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine
θαμβῶνqambwn
I amaze
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 3 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
imperfect2aorist1
Voice
passive3
Mood
indicative3
NT Occurrences
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Origins
θαμβέω is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.