Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary

θυω

Dictionaries commonly list two separate verbs of the form θυω (thuo), but the two seem similar in temperament and one is perhaps a specialized form of the other. But even if that is not the case, the fact that these two verbs are spelled identical certainly invited authors to word play, and their audiences to decide whether the implied connections are deliberate or accidental.

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θυω I

• Together with the noun ειδωλον (eidolon), object of visualization (our English word "idol"): the adjective ειδωλοθυτον (eidolothuton), which describes an item (mostly food) that was dedicated to an idol. In the first century everything was dedicated, and it was impossible to avoid such items, which is why the New Testament discusses dealing with these idol-offered things at length. This adjective occurs 10 times see full concordance
• The adjective θυινος (thuinos), that is thyine wood, an aromatic wood from an odorous African cedar called θυια (thuia), used for incense and pleasantly smelling statuettes and bowls (Revelation 18:12 only).
• The verb θυμιαω (thumiao) means to make what a sacrifice makes: smoke (and ashes). In the classics this verb could describe the production of any kind of smoke of fumes but was also used to specifically describe the burning of incense. In the New Testament this verb occurs in Luke 1:9 only, and from it derive:
  • The noun θυμιαμα (thumiama), meaning incense. In the classics this noun also frequently appears as θυμια (thumia), which explains the parent verb. This noun is used 6 times; see full concordance. In the Bible, pleasing smoke is often equated with prayers (Psalm 141:2, Luke 1:10, Revelation 8:3; also see 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 4:18).
  • The noun θυμιαστηριον (thumiasterion), which literally describes an incense item: either a censer of the smaller incense altar (Hebrews 9:4 only).
• The noun θυσια (thusia), which primarily denotes the act of sacrificing (Luke 2:24) or its institution (Matthew 9:13), and which may subsequently refer to a thing sacrificed (Mark 9:49). This noun is used 29 times, see full concordance, and from it in turn derives:
  • The noun θυσιαστηριον (thusiasterion), which describes a thing that lets you make a sacrifice, and which actually stems from the intermediate verb θυσιαζω (thusiazo), to make a sacrifice (not merely the slaughtering but the whole ritual, bells and whistles and all). Our noun θυσιαστηριον (thusiasterion) appears to be a Jewish invention, as it appears nearly solely in the Bible and Josephus, as the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word מזבח (mizbeah), altar, from the verb זבח (zabah), to slaughter. Our noun θυσιαστηριον (thusiasterion) appears 23 times in the New Testament; see full concordance.

θυω II

The second verb θυω (thuo) means to rage or seethe, which in Greek literature is used for both the sea and people (and horses and even snakes). It's not used in the New Testament but from it derive:

• The noun θυελλα (theulla), meaning storm, squall, hurricane, tempest (Hebrews 12:18 only).
• The noun θυμοσ (thumos), which describes intense mental agitation for whatever reason, but commonly with aggressive effect and accompanied by a strong will. Although the familiar term "the wrath of God" uses this word (Revelation 16:1, 19:15), the mental state that this word describes is commonly characteristic of an undisciplined mind, and in the New Testament (as well as by the Stoics) categorically condemned. This is significant because the requirement of sacrifice too is considered a form of mental adolescence, to be transcended by maturity. Still, it is a quality of young minds (children and immature adults), and must be guided, not extinguished (see αθυμεω, athumeo, directly below). Our noun is used 18 times; see full concordance, and from it derive:
  • Together with the particle of negation α (a), meaning not or without: the verb αθυμεω (athumeo), meaning to discourage, dispassion or dispirit (Colossians 3:21 only).
  • Together with the particle εν (en), meaning in or at: the verb ενθυμεομαι (enthumeomai), to have one's mind agitated by the ingress of a specific concern. This verb occurs in Matthew 1:20, 9:4 and Acts 10:19 only, and from it derives:
    • The noun ενθυμησις (ethumesis), a thought within an agitated mind, an agitation. This noun is used 4 times; see full concordance.
  • Together with the preposition επι (epi), meaning on or upon: the verb επιθυμεω (epithumeo), to direct one's strong will upon something, to obsess or think with agitation toward a certain objective. This verb is commonly translated with to lust or desire. It is used 16 times; see full concordance, and from it derive:
    • The noun επιθυμητης (epithumetes), which describes one who does the verb: one who obsesses, lusts or desires (1 Corinthians 10:6 only).
    • The noun επιθυμια (epithumia), meaning a strong will, desire, lust or obsession. This important noun occurs 38 times; see full concordance.
  • Together with the adverb ευ (eu), meaning good: the adjective ευθυμος (euthumos), meaning of good agitation, righteously stirred or eager to tackle a challenge and act accordingly (Acts 24:10 and 27:36 only). From this word comes:
    • The verb ευθυμεω (euthumeo), meaning to be properly agitated or righteously angered (Acts 27:22, 27:25 and James 5:13 only).
  • Together with the verb μαχομαι (machomai), meaning to fight or quarrel with: the verb θυμομαχεω (thumomacheo), meaning to fight angrily with, to engage someone out of great offense (Acts 12:20 only).
  • The verb θυμοω (thumoo), to agitate, to cause to flare up one's will, to provoke to anger, to be violently upset (Matthew 2:16 only).
  • Together with the familiar adjective ομος (homos), meaning same or of the same kind: the adverb ομοθυμαδον (homothumadon), meaning like-mindedly in the sense of same-temperedly. This adverb occurs 12 times; see full concordance.
  • Together with the preposition προ (pro), meaning before or in front of: the verb προθυμος (prothumos), meaning to be fiercely willing, tended toward agitation, easily or readily stirred (Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38 and Romans 1:15 only). From this verb come:
    • The noun προθυμια (prothumia), meaning a fierce will, or an eagerness to be agitated into action. This noun occurs 5 times; see full concordance.
    • The adverb προθυμος (prothumos), meaning with fierce will; eagerly, readily, angrily (1 Peter 5:2 only).

θειον

• The adjective θειωδης (theiodes), meaning sulfurous (Revelation 9:17 only). Note the passing similarity of this adjective with the noun θειοτης (theiotes), divinity, as used in Romans 1:20.

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Associated Biblical names