παρενοχλέω

From the study of Acts 15:19

Range of meaning

To trouble, annoy, harass, or make things difficult for someone. It is built on ὀχλέω (to disturb, crowd, molest), with the prefix παρα- (beside, alongside), which may suggest pressing on someone from the side or piling on extra difficulty. BDAG gives 'cause difficulty (for), annoy'. In practice it often describes harassment by people who have power over others, such as tax demands, official interference and pressure.

Against the English

KJV, WEB, YLT, ESV and NASB say 'trouble', which can sound mild to modern ears, like 'bother' or 'inconvenience'. NIV and NLT have 'make it difficult for', which comes closer: the point is putting obstacles in the way of people who are already coming.

How it drifted

'Trouble' used to be a strong verb (to afflict, to disturb), but in everyday modern English 'don't trouble them' sounds like 'don't pester them.' The original concerns a concrete demand: circumcision and Torah observance as the price of belonging.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament): in 1 Maccabees 10:35 King Demetrius promises the Jews that no one will have authority 'to exact anything from or to trouble (παρενοχλεῖν)' any of them, and 1 Macc 10:63 has the same idea. Both are official guarantees against harassment and burdensome demands. In Micah 6:3 LXX God asks Israel, 'What have I done to you, or how have I wearied/troubled (παρηνώχλησα) you?' Judges 14:17 (in some manuscripts) uses it for Samson's wife pressing him relentlessly. The word also turns up in papyri and Hellenistic Greek for vexing someone with demands.