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G1690 · Greek · New Testament
ἐμβριμάομαι
embrimaomai
Verb (Deponent)
To Be Deeply Moved / To Groan Within / To Sternly Charge

Definition

Embrimaomai (ἐμβριμάομαι, G1690) means to be deeply moved in spirit, to groan inwardly with strong emotion, to snort with anger, to sternly charge or warn. From en (in) + brimē (strength, snorting of horses — sound of forceful breath). It appears in Matthew 9:30; Mark 1:43; 14:5; and most profoundly in John 11:33,38 — where Jesus encounters the grief at Lazarus' tomb.

Usage & Theological Significance

John 11:33 says that when Jesus saw Mary weeping and the Jews weeping, 'he was deeply moved (enebrimēsato) in spirit and troubled.' And again in verse 38: 'Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb.' This is one of the most theologically important passages about the emotional life of Jesus. The word embrimaomai suggests something volcanic — not gentle sympathy but a forceful, almost angry grief. Many scholars see in it Jesus' rage against death itself — the cosmic intruder, the last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26), the great defiler of God's good creation. Jesus doesn't merely mourn; He is roused to indignation at the power of death. This is why He raises Lazarus — not as a comfort performance but as an act of war against death. The resurrection of Lazarus is a preview of the resurrection of all, and both spring from Jesus' embrimaomai — His deep, furious, redeeming love.

Key Bible Verses

John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit (enebrimēsato), and was troubled.
John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself (embrimōmenos) cometh to the grave.
Mark 1:43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning (embrimēsamenos).
Matthew 9:30 Jesus warned them sternly (enebrimēthē), 'See that no one knows about this.'
1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

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