ταραχή (tarachē)
tarachē
disturbance
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun tarachē describes a state of disturbance or commotion, often carrying the sense of an uproar or tumult. In the New Testament, it appears in just two verses, both found in the Gospel of John. The word captures the agitation that arises when established order is disrupted, whether by external events or internal anxiety.
Its usage highlights a specific moment of unrest. For instance, John 1:20 refers to the "disturbance" caused by the baptismal movements of John and Jesus, while John 7:12 speaks of the murmuring and quarreling among the crowds about Jesus. In these contexts, tarachē is not merely noise but a visible social friction or confusion that divides people.
The term derives from the verb tarassō, meaning to trouble or unsettle. This root connection emphasizes the active nature of the disturbance; it is something that happens to a group or situation, shaking its stability. Translators typically render it as "disturbance," "uproar," or "quarreling," depending on whether the focus is on the initial shock or the resulting conflict.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels like it is spinning out of control, we often experience a deep sense of disturbance. This Greek word captures that specific agitation where order breaks down and confusion takes hold. It reminds us that unrest is not just an internal feeling but something that can ripple through our communities, creating friction and division among people.
In the Gospel accounts, this term describes moments when crowds were stirred up by conflicting opinions about Jesus. It shows how quickly certainty can turn into murmuring and quarreling. Recognizing this pattern helps us see that peace is not the absence of noise, but a steady heart amidst the chaos.
Even in seasons of turmoil, we are invited to find stability in Christ. He stands as the anchor when everything else shifts. Rather than being consumed by the surrounding uproar, we can look to His presence which brings true calm to our troubled minds and relationships.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- disturbance;1×
- disturbance1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ταραχὴν1×
- ταραχαί·1×