"to squeeze, press; to press upon, encumber, throng, crowd, Mk. 3:9; met. to distress, afflict, 2 Cor. 1:6; 4:8; pass. to be compressed, narrow, Mt. 7:14"
Definition and meaning
to squeeze, press; to press upon, encumber, throng, crowd, Mk. 3:9; met. to distress, afflict, 2 Cor. 1:6; 4:8; pass. to be compressed, narrow, Mt. 7:14
In the original Greek the word is written: θλίβω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 thlibo (G2346) across the King James Bible.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
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Common questions
Strong's G2346 (thlibo) is a Greek word that means: to squeeze, press; to press upon, encumber, throng, crowd, Mk. 3:9; met. to distress, afflict, 2 Cor. 1:6; 4:8; pass. to be compressed, narrow, Mt. 7:14 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word thlibo (G2346) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2346 is thlibo, a Greek word defined as: to squeeze, press; to press upon, encumber, throng, crowd, Mk. 3:9; met. to distress, afflict, 2 Cor. 1:6; 4:8; pass. to be compressed, narrow, Mt. 7:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
thlibo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.