"agitation, commotion; consternation, terror, Acts 12:18; excitement, tumult, public contention, Acts 19:23*"
Definition and meaning
agitation, commotion; consternation, terror, Acts 12:18; excitement, tumult, public contention, Acts 19:23*
In the original Greek the word is written: τάραχος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of tarachos (G5017) across the King James Bible.
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
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Common questions
Strong's G5017 (tarachos) is a Greek word that means: agitation, commotion; consternation, terror, Acts 12:18; excitement, tumult, public contention, Acts 19:23* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word tarachos (G5017) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5017 is tarachos, a Greek word defined as: agitation, commotion; consternation, terror, Acts 12:18; excitement, tumult, public contention, Acts 19:23*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
tarachos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.