ὁρμ-ή G3730
rapid forward motion, rush, onset; violent impulse or assault
This noun captures forceful, rapid movement—an onrush, assault, or violent impulse. Homer uses it of warriors' charges and the rage of fire. Classical writers describe the shock of waves, the spring of knees, the speed of foot. In the New Testament, both occurrences involve hostile intent. Acts 14:5 describes an 'impulse' or 'rush' by Gentiles and Jews to stone Paul and Barnabas. James 3:4 compares the tongue to a ship's rudder, despite the 'impulse' of fierce winds. The word conveys forceful momentum, whether physical or psychological.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Both biblical uses involve powerful, directional force. Acts 14:5 describes a hostile mob movement—the translations render it as 'impulse' or 'rush' (Spanish 'impulso, ímpetu'). James 3:4 uses it of wind-driven force on ships. The multilingual evidence clusters around the concept of forceful momentum: English 'impulse, rush,' French 'impétuosité.' The semantic core is rapid motion forwards, carrying the potential for violence or overwhelming force, whether from human passion or natural elements. 2×
AR["مَيلُ", "هُجومٌ"]·ben["আক্রমণ", "তাগিদ"]·DE["ὁρμὴ"]·EN["impulse", "rush"]·FR["impétuosité", "ὁρμὴ"]·heb["דַּחַף", "מַהֲלוּמָה"]·HI["आक्रमण", "इच्छा"]·ID["keinginan", "serangan"]·IT["impulso", "ormē"]·jav["panggrak", "pepénginan"]·KO["돌격이", "의향-이"]·PT["vontade", "ímpeto"]·RU["натиск", "устремление"]·ES["impulso", "ímpetu"]·SW["nia", "shambulio"]·TR["dürtüsü", "saldırı"]·urd["ارادہ", "حملہ"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ὁρμ-ή, ἡ, rapid motion forwards, onrush, onset, assault, μόγις δέ μευ ἔκφυγεν ὁρμήν Refs 8th c.BC+; ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ χωρίου ἡ ὁ. ἔσται the attack, invasion, Refs 5th c.BC+; also of an impulse received from another, ἐμέ τ᾽ εἰσορόων καὶ ἐμὴν ποτιδέγμενος ὁ. Refs 8th c.BC+ __2 more frequently of things, πυρὸς ὁ. the rage of fire, Refs 8th c.BC+; ὑπὸ κύματος ὁρμῆς by the shock of a wave, Refs 8th c.BC+;…