διαταράσσω

I trouble greatly, agitate

Definition

διαταράσσω (diatarassō) means to trouble, disturb, or agitate someone deeply, often causing inner turmoil or anxiety. It intensifies the basic verb ταράσσω (tarassō), adding the sense of being 'thoroughly' or 'through and through' troubled. In its single New Testament occurrence, it describes Mary's profound emotional and spiritual disturbance upon hearing the angel Gabriel's greeting (Luke 1:29). The word implies a state of being shaken or perplexed by an unexpected, divine encounter that disrupts one's normal composure.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 1:29. It describes the Virgin Mary's intense, inward reaction to the angel Gabriel's announcement that she is 'highly favored.' The context is a personal, divine visitation that provokes deep contemplation and alarm. Unlike the more common ταράσσω (tarassō), which can describe general trouble or stirring (e.g., John 5:4, 14:1), διαταράσσω emphasizes a more profound, penetrating agitation of the soul.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition διά (dia), meaning 'through' or 'thoroughly,' combined with the verb ταράσσω (tarassō), meaning 'to stir up, trouble, or disturb.' The compound form intensifies the root meaning, suggesting a disturbance that permeates one's entire being. Cognates include ταραχή (tarachē, 'disturbance, tumult') and συνταράσσω (syntarassō, 'to trouble greatly'), seen in Acts 16:20.

Semantic Range

This word highlights the human response to divine interruption. Mary's being 'greatly troubled' (διαταράσσω) at Gabriel's greeting underscores the awe, fear, and perplexity that can accompany God's direct intervention in human lives. It enriches the reading of Luke 1:29 by emphasizing that genuine encounters with God's messengers or purposes often initially disrupt human equilibrium, preceding faith and understanding. This mirrors other biblical theophanies where humans react with fear (e.g., Daniel 10:7-8).

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, encounters with divine beings or omens were often met with fear and agitation, as they signaled a disruption of the natural order and potential momentous change. Mary's reaction would have been culturally recognizable as a typical human response to a supernatural visitation. The intensity conveyed by διαταράσσω aligns with the biblical pattern where profound divine revelations initially cause distress before bringing clarity or commission.

ταράσσω (tarassō, G5015) — a more general term for troubling or stirring, without the intensive prefix. συνταράσσω (syntarassō, G4797) — means to trouble or agitate together or greatly, used for public uproar (Acts 16:20).

Word Details

Scripture References