Greek word · G5425
φρίσσω
phrissō
to shudder
Literally 'to bristle': hair standing on end, a rough surface. From that, 'to shudder', 'shiver with fear', 'be struck with awe or dread'. It describes a physical reaction to terror.
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
φρίσσω
(Att.. -ττω, and so 4Ma.14:9 4Mac 17:7) [in LXX: Job 4:15 ( pi.), etc. ;]
1. to be rough, bristle.
2. to shiver, shudder, tremble, from fear: James 2:19 (see Hort, in l).†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
Literally 'to bristle': hair standing on end, a rough surface. From that, 'to shudder', 'shiver with fear', 'be struck with awe or dread'. It describes a physical reaction to terror.
- Against the English
'Tremble' (KJV) and 'shudder' (ESV, NASB, WEB, BSB) are both fair. 'Shudder' keeps more of the bodily reaction. NLT's 'tremble in terror' brings out the fear.
- Used elsewhere in the period
This is its only use in the New Testament. Greek Old Testament: Job 4:15 ('the hair of my flesh bristled'), Dan 7:15 (Theodotion's Greek version, as some manuscripts read it), Jer 2:12. Prayer of Manasseh 4: God 'at whom all things shudder (phrissei) and tremble before your power'. Later Christian writers (e.g. Justin, Dialogue 49.8) and the Greek magical papyri describe demons and other powers shuddering at God's name. Commentators often cite this background, which reflects a widely held belief in exorcism and magic.
Where it appears
James · 1
-
James 2:19 φρίσσουσιν. shudder!
You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Here: Literally 'their hair stands on end', the body's reaction to terror. Their belief at least does something to them, but what it produces is dread, not obedience.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.