Lexical Summary hormé: Impulse, assault, rush, onset Original Word: ὁρμή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance assault. Of uncertain affinity; a violent impulse, i.e. Onset -- assault. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a rapid motion forwards, onrush, assault NASB Translation attempt (1), inclination (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3730: ὁρμήὁρμή, ὁρμῆς, ἡ (from the root, sar, to go, flow; Fick i., p. 227; Curtius, § 502), from Homer down, a violent motion, impulse: James 3:4; a hostile movement, onset, assault, Acts 14:5 (cf. Trench, § lxxxvii.). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3730 appears only twice in the New Testament, yet those occurrences paint a vivid picture of the force that moves people or objects toward a decisive end—whether for harm or for good. Through its use Luke and James display both the peril of uncontrolled passion and the constructive power of deliberate direction. Occurrences in the New Testament Acts 14:5 presents an explosive scene in Iconium: “When the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, made a rush to mistreat and stone them, they became aware of it and fled…”. Here the word describes a mob’s collective surge, a sudden and violent momentum born of hostility to the gospel. James 3:4 relocates the same term to the calm discipline of seamanship: “Consider ships: Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot directs”. The term now serves a metaphor of intentional guidance, illustrating the tongue’s disproportionate influence over life’s course. Historical and Cultural Background First–century readers were accustomed to both images. Public violence, often fueled by sudden passion, could erupt in Mediterranean cities when religious or civic sensibilities were provoked, and Luke’s language mirrors contemporary descriptions of riotous outbreaks. Conversely, maritime commerce thrived across the Roman Empire; sailors understood that winds may buffet a vessel, but the helmsman’s purpose determines her destination. James weaves common nautical knowledge into his pastoral exhortation, assuring believers that God expects disciplined self-government rather than fatalistic surrender to external pressures. Theological Significance 1. Human Responsibility. Both texts assume accountable agents. In Acts, the crowd’s rush is not excused as inevitable; it is judged a culpable rebellion against truth. In James, the pilot’s impulse highlights personal responsibility; the heart directs the tongue, which in turn charts life’s trajectory. Practical Ministry Applications • Guarding Congregational Unity. Pastors must recognize how quickly unchecked emotion can cascade into conflict. Proactive teaching, transparent communication, and swift reconciliation can prevent a destructive rush like that in Iconium. Intertextual Connections • Proverbs 14:29 contrasts the wise who “restrain” anger with the fool who exalts it, paralleling James’s call for measured speech. Summary Strong’s 3730 highlights the decisive surge that can either batter the church or propel her forward. Acts warns against crowds mastered by rage; James commends individuals mastering their own impulses. The same dynamic force, surrendered to Christ and guided by wisdom, becomes an instrument for gospel progress rather than persecution. Forms and Transliterations ορμάς ορμη ορμή ὁρμὴ ορμήν ορμής horme hormē hormḕ orme ormēLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 14:5 N-NFSGRK: δὲ ἐγένετο ὁρμὴ τῶν ἐθνῶν NAS: And when an attempt was made by both KJV: when there was an assault made both INT: moreover there was a rush of the Gentiles James 3:4 N-NFS |
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