ἐμβριμάομαι (embrimaomai)
embrimaomai
be agitated
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb embrimaomai describes an intense, often visceral reaction, literally meaning to snort or breathe heavily like a horse in agitation. It appears five times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels of Mark and John, conveying a sense of deep inner emotion that can range from stern indignation to compassionate urgency.
Its usage shifts depending on context. In Mark 1:43 and Matthew 9:30, Jesus uses it to issue a strict, urgent command for silence, charging his listeners with earnest admonition. Conversely, in John 11:33 and 11:38, the word describes Jesus being deeply moved or troubled in spirit by the grief of others, showing that this "snorting" energy can stem from profound empathy rather than just anger.
Derived from brimaomai (to snort with anger) and the prefix em-, the word captures a forceful expression of will. Translators often render it as "sternly warned," "deeply moved," or "indignant," reflecting how this single Greek term bridges the gap between righteous anger and intense emotional engagement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word embrimaomai captures a raw, visceral reaction, literally describing someone snorting or breathing heavily like an agitated horse. In the Gospels, it appears in moments where Jesus’ humanity meets intense circumstances. Sometimes this deep stirring manifests as urgent sternness, such as when He silences demons or commands those healed to keep quiet. Other times, it reveals a profound empathy, as when He is deeply moved by the grief of Mary and Martha at Lazarus’s tomb.
This duality reminds us that God is not distant or indifferent to our struggles. Whether responding with holy urgency or tender compassion, Jesus engages fully with the reality of human suffering and sin. His reactions are never casual; they are the weighty responses of a Savior who cares deeply about every tear and every brokenness we bring to Him.
When you feel overwhelmed by the chaos around you, remember that Jesus understands intense emotion. He does not demand cold detachment but offers His presence in the midst of your deepest feelings. You can trust that He sees your pain and responds with a love that is both powerful and personal, meeting you exactly where you are.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they were grumbling1×
- he strictly instructed1×
- having sternly warned1×
- being deeply moved1×
- He was deeply moved1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνεβριμῶντο1×
- ἐνεβριμήσατο1×
- ἐνεβριμήθη1×
- ἐμβριμώμενος1×
- ἐμβριμησάμενος1×
Key Verses
-
John 11:33
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled,
This verse shows the word describing Jesus being deeply troubled by the grief of others, highlighting His profound empathy rather than anger.
-
Mark 1:43
He strictly warned him and immediately sent him out,
Here the term conveys a stern, urgent command for silence, illustrating how Jesus used intense emotion to protect the timing of His mission.
-
John 11:38
Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
Jesus uses this same word again as He approaches the tomb, showing that His agitation stems from a deep, personal engagement with death and sorrow.