What does φοβέω · σφόδρα mean in the Bible?
e. e.
Greek · G5399, G4970
ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα
To fear · very
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
φοβέωG5399to fear
Pronunciationphobéō
Reverential fear of God distinct from mere terror; conveys both awe and obedient respect.
Open lexicon entry →σφόδραG4970very
Pronunciationsphódra
Intensifies with force or violence; conveys extreme degree beyond mere "very
Open lexicon entry →What does ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα (ephobethesan sphodra) mean in the Bible?
φοβέω · σφόδρα is a Greek phrase meaning "to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere".
Full entry for ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα (G5399, G4970) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere
Strong'sG5399, G4970
Lexical occurrences0 versesSource Gloss
to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 94 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present48aorist33imperfect12future1
Voice
middle60passive34
Mood
indicative38imperative28participle19subjunctive8infinitive1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 1:20φοβηθῇςaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveMatthew 2:22ἐφοβήθηaorist passive indicativecompletedMatthew 9:8ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedMatthew 10:26φοβηθῆτεaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveMatthew 10:28φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeMatthew 10:28φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeMatthew 10:31φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeMatthew 14:27φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeMatthew 14:30ἐφοβήθηaorist passive indicativecompletedMatthew 14:5ἐφοβήθηaorist passive indicativecompletedMatthew 17:6ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedMatthew 17:7φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeMatthew 21:26φοβούμεθαpresent middle indicativeongoingMatthew 21:46ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedMatthew 25:25φοβηθεὶςaorist passive participleparticipleMatthew 27:54ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedMatthew 28:10φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeMatthew 28:5φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeMark 4:41ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedMark 5:15ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedMark 5:36φοβοῦpresent middle imperativeimperativeMark 6:20ἐφοβεῖτοimperfect middle indicativebackgroundMark 6:50φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeMark 9:32ἐφοβοῦντοimperfect middle indicativebackgroundMark 10:32ἐφοβοῦντοimperfect middle indicativebackgroundMark 11:18ἐφοβοῦντοimperfect middle indicativebackgroundMark 11:32ἐφοβοῦντοimperfect middle indicativebackgroundMark 12:12ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedMark 16:8ἐφοβοῦντοimperfect middle indicativebackgroundLuke 1:13φοβοῦpresent middle imperativeimperativeLuke 1:30φοβοῦpresent middle imperativeimperativeLuke 1:50φοβουμένοιςpresent middle participleparticipleLuke 2:10φοβεῖσθεpresent middle imperativeimperativeLuke 2:9ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedLuke 5:10φοβοῦpresent middle imperativeimperativeLuke 8:25φοβηθέντεςaorist passive participleparticipleLuke 8:35ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedLuke 8:50φοβοῦpresent middle imperativeimperativeLuke 9:34ἐφοβήθησανaorist passive indicativecompletedLuke 9:45ἐφοβοῦντοimperfect middle indicativebackground+54 more 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
ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα is built from this root: