"pr. pressure, compression; met. affliction, distress of mind, 2 Cor. 2:4; distressing circumstances, trial, affliction, Mt. 25:9"
Definition and meaning
pr. pressure, compression; met. affliction, distress of mind, 2 Cor. 2:4; distressing circumstances, trial, affliction, Mt. 25:9
In the original Greek the word is written: θλῖψις
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 thlipsis (G2347) across the King James Bible.
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
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Common questions
Strong's G2347 (thlipsis) is a Greek word that means: pr. pressure, compression; met. affliction, distress of mind, 2 Cor. 2:4; distressing circumstances, trial, affliction, Mt. 25:9 It appears 43 times in the King James Bible.
The word thlipsis (G2347) appears 43 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2347 is thlipsis, a Greek word defined as: pr. pressure, compression; met. affliction, distress of mind, 2 Cor. 2:4; distressing circumstances, trial, affliction, Mt. 25:9. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
thlipsis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.