Lexical Summary sugchusis: Confusion, disorder, tumult Original Word: συγχύσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance confusion. From sugcheo; commixture, i.e. (figuratively) riotous disturbance -- confusion. see GREEK sugcheo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sugcheó Definition confusion NASB Translation confusion (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4799: σύγχυσιςσύγχυσις, συγχύσεως, ἡ (συγχέω) (from Euripides, Thucydides, Plato down), confusion, disturbance: of riotous persons, Acts 19:29 (1 Samuel 5:11). Topical Lexicon Overview The term designates a state of disorder in which normal social, religious, and moral boundaries collapse into restless turmoil. Scripture associates it with collective agitation, loss of direction, and the breakdown of reasoned deliberation. Singular New Testament occurrence • Acts 19:29 – In Ephesus, “The city was filled with confusion”. This eruption follows Paul’s successful proclamation of the gospel, which threatened the economic and religious interests tied to the cult of Artemis. Luke employs the word to summarize the communal frenzy that overtook the populace, driving them precipitously into the theater. Historical backdrop: the Ephesian uproar Ephesus was famed for its temple to Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Silversmiths profited by crafting miniature shrines; Paul’s teaching endangered their trade, provoking Demetrius to stir the artisans (Acts 19:23-27). The resulting mob, unable to articulate coherent charges, embodied the very confusion the term expresses. Roman authorities prized civic order; a riot placed the city at risk of imperial sanctions (Acts 19:40). Luke’s narrative underscores that the gospel does not foment chaos; rather, opposition to it exposes the inherent instability of idolatrous systems. Theological themes 1. Human disorder vs. divine order – From the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) to the tumult in Ephesus, Scripture contrasts human attempts at self-exaltation with God’s orderly purposes (1 Corinthians 14:33). Contrasts with divine order • Confusion: characterized by noise, haste, and indecision (Acts 19:32). Believers are therefore called to embody calm integrity even when surrounded by societal upheaval (Philippians 2:14-16). Pastoral implications 1. Discernment – Shepherds must recognize when opposition masks itself in popular sentiment. Contemporary application Modern culture, marked by information overload and ideological polarization, often mirrors the Ephesian theater. The church’s task is to offer a coherent, Scripture-shaped witness that steadies confused hearts, demonstrating the harmony that flows from submission to Christ’s lordship. Related biblical motifs • “Tumult” (Mark 5:38) These passages collectively reveal the recurring pattern of confusion whenever truth challenges entrenched error. Summary The singular use of Strong’s Greek 4799 serves as a vivid snapshot of communal chaos triggered by threatened idolatry. It reinforces the biblical conviction that confusion is not merely social but spiritual, arising where God’s order is resisted. The people of God are called to stand as islands of peace and clarity, testifying that in Christ “all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). Forms and Transliterations συγχυσεως συγχύσεως σύγχυσις sunchuseos sunchuseōs synchyseos synchyseōs synchýseos synchýseōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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