ἐμμαίνομαι (emmainomai)
emmainomai
be enraged
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb emmainomai describes a state of intense, uncontrolled rage or madness directed at someone. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 26:11, where Paul recounts his past actions before becoming a follower of Jesus. In this context, he states that he tried to force Jews to blaspheme and was so violently enraged against them that he persecuted them even in foreign cities.
Etymologically, the word combines the prefix em- ("in") with mainomai ("to be mad" or "rage"). This construction suggests a person who is consumed by fury, losing their rational composure. The sources note it takes the dative case, indicating the specific target of this outburst. Unlike general anger, which can be measured, emmainomai implies a feverish intensity that drives violent persecution.
Translators typically render this word as "enraged" or "raging." Its singular occurrence highlights the extreme nature of Paul’s zeal before his conversion. The text uses this strong term to contrast his former brutality with the grace he later received, showing how deeply his previous mindset was rooted in hostile obsession rather than mere disagreement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word emmainomai describes a rage so intense it borders on madness. It captures a state where fury completely takes over reason and self-control. In Acts, Paul uses this strong term to describe his own past behavior before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Reflecting on that time, Paul admits he was exceedingly enraged against early Christians. This wasn't just disagreement; it was a violent obsession that drove him to persecute believers even in distant cities. Recognizing the depth of his former hostility helps us appreciate the magnitude of the grace that changed him.
This word reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's transforming love. Even when our hearts are consumed by anger or opposition, Christ's grace can turn persecution into purpose. It offers hope that our past mistakes do not define our future in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- being furious1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐμμαινόμενος1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 26:11
Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
This verse highlights the extreme intensity of Paul's pre-conversion zeal, showing how his rage drove him to pursue believers across different cities.