θλῖψις G2347
tribulation, affliction, distress — pressure from outward hardship, persecution, or eschatological trial
Thlipsis (from thlibo, 'to press, crush') captures the experience of being squeezed by external forces — persecution, poverty, imprisonment, or the great tribulation of the last days. Its 45 New Testament occurrences cluster heavily in Paul's letters and the Synoptic apocalyptic discourses. Jesus warns that tribulation comes 'because of the word' (Matt 13:21; Mark 4:17), and the Olivet Discourse escalates to a 'great tribulation such as has not been from the beginning of the world' (Matt 24:21). Paul transforms the concept into a theology of endurance: 'tribulation produces perseverance' (Rom 5:3). Revelation crowns the arc with the church emerging victorious from 'the great tribulation' (Rev 7:14). The translations preserve its weight: Spanish 'tribulacion/afliccion,' French 'tribulation/affliction,' German 'Bedrängnis/Trübsal.'
Senses
1. tribulation, affliction, distress — Pressure, distress, or affliction caused by external circumstances such as persecution, societal opposition, or eschatological catastrophe. The root metaphor is physical crushing or pressing, extended to psychological and spiritual anguish. Covers present-day trials endured by believers (Rom 5:3; 2 Cor 1:4; 1 Thess 3:3), specific persecutions (Acts 11:19; 2 Thess 1:4), and the climactic eschatological tribulation prophesied in the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24:21, 29) and Revelation (Rev 7:14). Paul develops a distinctive theology in which thlipsis produces character and hope (Rom 5:3-5). All 45 occurrences share this core semantic of externally imposed suffering. 45×
AR["الضِّرِّ", "الضِّيقَ", "الضّيقِ", "ضيقاً", "ضيقي", "ضيقًا", "ضيقٌ", "ضيقٍ", "ضيقِ", "ضِيقًا", "ضِيقٌ", "ضِيقِ"]·ben["কষ্ট", "ক্লেশ", "ক্লেশে", "ক্লেশের", "যাতনার"]·DE["Bedrängnis", "Truebsal"]·EN["affliction", "tribulation"]·FR["affliction", "tribulation"]·heb["צָרָה", "צָרָה."]·HI["कशत", "कशत.", "क्लेश", "क्लेश,"]·ID["kesukaran", "kesusahan", "penderitaan", "penderitaan,", "penekanan,", "penindasan"]·IT["tribolazione"]·jav["kasangsaran", "kasangsaran,", "kasusahan", "kasusahan,"]·KO["환난", "환난-을", "환난-이", "환난에", "환난에.", "환난에서", "환난을", "환난이", "환난이나", "환난이냐", "환난이리라"]·PT["Tribulação,", "tribulação"]·RU["производит", "скорби", "скорби,", "скорбь", "скорбью", "стеснение"]·ES["Aflicción", "aflicción", "tribulación"]·SW["dhiki", "dhiki,", "kubwa", "na", "ya-"]·TR["sikinti", "sikintima", "sıkıntı", "sıkıntı-mı", "sıkıntıdan", "sıkıntısının", "sıkıntıya", "ve-"]·urd["دکھ۔", "مصیبت", "مصیبت-میں", "مصیبت-کے"]
Matt 13:21, Matt 24:9, Matt 24:21, Matt 24:29, Mark 4:17, Mark 13:19, Mark 13:24, John 16:21, John 16:33, Acts 7:10, Acts 7:11, Acts 11:19 (+33 more)
Related Senses
H7965 1. peace, absence of conflict (198×)H3467 1. save, deliver, rescue (Hifil active) (156×)H5127 1. flee, run away (Qal) (144×)G1515 1. peace, well-being, harmony (93×)H8002 1. peace offering(s) (87×)G4982 1. save spiritually, grant salvation (79×)H3444 1. salvation, deliverance (67×)H4422 1. Nifal: escape, flee (63×)H1272 1. flee, run away (Qal) (58×)H6869b 1. distress, trouble (57×)G4991 1. of salvation (46×)H0983 1. security, safety, confidence (42×)H6031b 1. Piel: afflict, oppress (42×)H6040 1. affliction, misery, suffering (36×)H3468 1. salvation, deliverance (33×)G5343 1. flee, run away (28×)H3467 2. savior, deliverer (Hifil participle substantive) (28×)H8668 1. salvation, deliverance (27×)H8252 1. be quiet, be at rest (26×)G4990 1. Savior (24×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
θλῖψις, εως, ἡ, pressure, Refs 4th c.BC+; ἀντέρεισις καὶ θ. Refs 1st c.BC+; of the pulse, Refs 2nd c.AD+; ὑστερικαὶ θ. Refs 2nd c.AD+ __2 crushing, castration, πώλων Refs __3 metaphorically, oppression, affliction, LXX+1st c.BC+