Pronunciation Guide: ek-tham-BEH-oh
Basic Definition
Strong’s G1568: ἐκθαμβέω (ekthambeo) expresses a profound state of astonishment that overwhelms the senses and emotions. It describes being struck with amazement so intensely that it produces a physical reaction of awe, wonder, and even fear. This powerful verb captures those moments when people are rendered nearly speechless by witnessing something beyond ordinary human experience, particularly divine manifestations.
Etymology and Morphology
- Part of speech: Verb
- Compound of ἐκ (ek, “out of, from”) + θαμβέω (thambeo, “to be astonished”)
- Root word: θάμβος (thambos, “amazement, wonder”)
- Primary usage: Narrative sections, particularly in contexts of divine manifestation
- Appears exclusively in Mark’s Gospel (4 occurrences)
- Conveys a stronger emotional response than the simple θαμβέω
ἐκθαμβέω Morphology:
- ἐκθαμβέομαι (present passive/middle) – to be utterly amazed
- ἐξεθαμβήθη (aorist passive, 3rd person singular) – he/she was utterly amazed
- ἐξεθαμβήθησαν (aorist passive, 3rd person plural) – they were utterly amazed
- ἐκθαμβεῖσθε (present passive/middle, 2nd person plural) – you are utterly amazed
Origin & History
The compound ἐκθαμβέω represents an intensification of the simpler θαμβέω, with the prefix ἐκ- adding emphasis and completeness to the experience of astonishment. The root θάμβος appears in classical Greek literature as early as Homer’s works, where it conveys a sense of stunned amazement, often with connotations of fear or dread.
In the Septuagint (LXX), the simpler form θαμβέω appears in texts like 1 Kings 9:8 and Job 26:11 to describe reactions to divine power or judgment. However, the intensified compound ἐκθαμβέω is noticeably absent from the LXX, suggesting it may represent a later development in Koine Greek. This intensified form appears in Plutarch’s “Moralia” to describe extreme states of astonishment.
Interestingly, the compound form ἐκθαμβέω is used exclusively by Mark in the New Testament, possibly reflecting his characteristic emphasis on emotional responses to the Messiah’s power and the immediate impact of divine encounters on witnesses.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- A state of being utterly astounded and overwhelmed by something extraordinary
- Fearful amazement in response to divine manifestation or supernatural events
- Being rendered speechless or immobilized by astonishment
- A visceral, emotional reaction of wonder that seizes the entire person
- Intense awe that includes elements of both attraction and trepidation
ἐκθαμβέω Translation Options:
- To be utterly amazed – captures the intensity of the emotion but may miss the element of fear
- To be awestruck – conveys both wonder and reverence, though sometimes lacks the suddenness
- To be overwhelmed with astonishment – emphasizes the overpowering nature of the experience
- To be seized with wonder – includes the physical and emotional impact of the experience
- To be struck with terror and amazement – preserves both the fear and wonder components present in the original
Biblical Usage
The verb ἐκθαμβέω appears exclusively in Mark’s Gospel, where it characteristically emphasizes the powerful emotional responses to encounters with Yeshua and His divine authority. Its first appearance in Mark 9:15 occurs when the crowd sees Yeshua immediately after His transfiguration, suggesting they may have glimpsed some lingering radiance or divine quality in His appearance.
The word appears again in Mark 14:33 to describe Yeshua’s own emotional state in Gethsemane, showing the intensity of His struggle. The other occurrences similarly highlight overwhelming emotional responses to divine manifestations or the Messiah’s power. Mark’s exclusive use of this term aligns with his narrative style that emphasizes the immediacy and emotional impact of divine encounters.
- “As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with amazement [ἐξεθαμβήθησαν] and ran to greet him.” Mark 9:15
- “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled [ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι].” Mark 14:33
- “Entering the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed [ἐξεθαμβήθησαν].” Mark 16:5
- “Don’t be alarmed [ἐκθαμβεῖσθε],” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.” Mark 16:6
Cultural Insights
In the first-century Jewish context, expressions of extreme amazement were often associated with theophany (divine manifestation) experiences. The physical and emotional response captured by ἐκθαμβέω reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding that encountering the divine was not merely an intellectual experience but one that seized the entire person—body, mind, and spirit.
The Jewish concept of the “fear of יהוה (Yahweh)” (yirat Adonai) included both reverence and literal fear, a complex emotional response that ἐκθαμβέω captures well. When Mark uses this term, especially in contexts like the transfiguration aftermath or the empty tomb, he’s drawing on this tradition of appropriate human response to divine presence. The intensity of ἐκθαμβέω aligns with rabbinic traditions that described physical reactions to divine revelation, including trembling, speechlessness, and even temporary paralysis—all considered appropriate responses to the overwhelming glory of God breaking into human experience.
Theological Significance
The exclusive use of ἐκθαμβέω in Mark’s Gospel creates a theological framework for understanding proper response to divine revelation. Unlike modern tendencies to domesticate encounters with God, this powerful verb reminds us that genuine divine encounters should leave us shaken, overwhelmed, and profoundly moved. The emotional intensity expressed by ἐκθαμβέω serves as a corrective to overly intellectual approaches to faith.
Significantly, Mark applies this term not only to human responses to Yeshua but also to Yeshua’s own emotional state in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). This creates a profound theological insight into the Messiah’s fully human experience of overwhelming emotion. His experience of being ἐκθαμβέω reveals the depths of His identification with human vulnerability while facing the cup of divine judgment. This application to Yeshua Himself demonstrates that even the most intense human emotional experiences are sanctified through His participation in them, offering comfort to believers experiencing similar overwhelming states.
Personal Application
When we encounter moments of being utterly amazed—whether through worship, Scripture study, answered prayer, or divine intervention—we are experiencing what Mark sought to capture with ἐκθαμβέω. These moments should not be dismissed or quickly rationalized away, but rather treasured as authentic encounters with divine reality. In a world that often promotes emotional detachment or mere intellectual assent, embracing the full-person response of ἐκθαμβέω can revitalize our spiritual lives.
Consider journaling about moments when you’ve been truly overwhelmed by God’s presence or work. When have you experienced an astonishment so profound it left you speechless? How might intentionally creating space for awe and wonder—through prayer, nature, worship, or meditation on Scripture—deepen your relationship with the God who continues to amaze those who seek Him?
Related Words
- θαμβέω (thambeo) – to be amazed, astonished; the non-intensified form of the same concept, with less emphasis on the overwhelming nature of the astonishment. See G2284
- ἐκπλήσσω (ekplesso) – to strike with astonishment; focuses more on the sudden impact of astonishment, as if being struck by a thunderbolt. See G1605
- θαυμάζω (thaumazo) – to marvel, wonder; represents a more contemplative wonder that doesn’t necessarily include fear. See G2296
- ἐξίστημι (existemi) – to be amazed to the point of being beside oneself; emphasizes displacement from normal mental state due to astonishment. See G1839
- φοβέω (phobeo) – to fear, be afraid; overlaps with ἐκθαμβέω when the fear component of astonishment predominates. See G5399
Did you Know?
- Did you know that the infamous Greek god Pan was said to cause a similar emotion of overwhelming terror and amazement called “panic” (πανικός, panikos)? This connection helps us understand how the ancient mind conceptualized ἐκθαμβέω as an emotion that could physically paralyze or overwhelm a person, similar to how Pan was believed to affect travelers in the wilderness. The difference is that biblical ἐκθαμβέω represents a holy awe rather than irrational terror.
- Did you know that the modern psychological concept of “awe” has been extensively studied in recent decades, with researchers finding that experiences of profound amazement (similar to ἐκθαμβέω) can measurably alter human perception of time, increase generosity, and promote spiritual well-being? These findings align remarkably well with biblical descriptions of encounters with divine reality.
- Did you know that Mark’s use of ἐκθαμβέω in describing Yeshua’s emotional state in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33) has been a crucial text in theological debates about Yeshua’s divine and human natures? The fact that the Messiah Himself experienced this overwhelming emotion has been seen as powerful evidence of His genuine humanity and solidarity with human emotional experience.
Remember This
ἐκθαμβέω captures that sacred moment when divine glory breaks into human experience with such force that we can only respond with stunned amazement—reminding us that the appropriate response to God’s presence is not casual familiarity but holy, transformative awe.
