← Back to Lexicon
G5016 · Greek · New Testament
ταραχή
tarache
Noun, feminine
disturbance, trouble, tumult

Definition

Tarache appears twice in the New Testament (Mark 13:8; John 5:4), describing social and physical upheaval. Its cognate tarasso (to agitate/disturb) appears more frequently and is used for both troubled waters (John 5:7), troubled spirits (John 11:33; 12:27; 13:21), and frightened crowds (Matthew 14:26). Tarache is the noun form — the state of disturbance itself.

Usage & Theological Significance

The most theologically significant context of tarache is John 5:4, where the troubling (tarasso) of the pool of Bethesda's waters was the signal for miraculous healing. The tarache (disturbance) preceded the miracle. This pattern recurs throughout Scripture: divine intervention often comes as disturbance before deliverance. Mark 13:8 uses it for 'disturbances' accompanying the birth pangs of the end times. The theological message: do not despise tarache — the troubling of the waters, the upheaval of circumstances, may be the prelude to God's healing touch.

Key Bible Verses

Mark 13:8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains [and tarache].
John 5:4 From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up [tarasso] the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured.
John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping... he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled [tarasso].
John 13:21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled [tarasso] in spirit and testified, 'Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.'
Isaiah 57:20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.

Related Words

External Resources

🌙
☀️