Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary
ταρασσω
The verb ταρασσω (tarasso) is the opposite of being calm and at peace, and means to be stirred or troubled, both in a physical sense (of water, armies, political situations) and a mental sense (agitated, disturbed). It occurs 17 times in the New Testament; see full concordance, and from it derive:
- Together with the prefix δια (dia), meaning through or throughout: the verb διαταρασσω (diatarasso), meaning deeply or entirely troubled (Luke 1:29 only).
- Together with the common preposition εκ (ek), meaning out: the verb εκταρασσω (ektarasso), which literally means to act out of trouble (Acts 16:20 only). This verb may describe the acting out of a group of people that is collectively upset (as it does in this verb's sole occurrence in the New Testament), but it may also describe a person's external confusing behavior that stems from internal mental trouble. And since our core verb may describe troubled bowels, this verb εκταρασσω (ektarasso) on occasion may accompany a bout of diarrhea.
- The noun ταραχη (tarache), which describes the action of the verb: a troubling, a stirring up, an agitation (Mark 13:8 and John 5:4 only).
- The noun ταραχος (tarachos), meaning a stir, a trouble, a disturbance (Acts 12:18 and 19:23 only).