ASTONISHMENT, ASTONISHED.—These terms occur with some frequency in Authorized and Revised Versions of OT, but in NT only in the historical books (except John), and in the Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 only in the Synoptic Gospels (except Acts 3:12). They are always used in NT as an expression of one of the emotions aroused by supernatural manifestations. The noun occurs once only in either version (but in different passages: Authorized Version Mark 5:42; Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 Mark 16:8): the verb more frequently. In Authorized Version the term translates sometimes ἐκπλήσσομαι (Matthew 7:28; Matthew 13:54; Matthew 22:33, Mark 6:2; Mark 7:37; Mark 10:26; Mark 11:18, Luke 4:32, Acts 13:12); sometimes ἐξίσταμαι or ἔκστασις (Mark 5:42, Luke 2:47; Luke 8:56; Luke 24:22, Acts 10:45; Acts 12:16); and sometimes θαμβέομαι or θάμβος (Mark 10:24, Luke 5:9, Acts 9:6). In Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 it is reserved for ἐκπλήσσομαι (except Mark 16:8, where ‘astonishment’ represents ἔκστασις), of which it is the uniform rendering. In its etymological implication it very fairly represents ἐκπλήσσομαι, which is literally ‘to be struck out (of the senses) by a blow,’ and hence, to be ‘stunned,’‘shocked,’ ‘astonished.’ For its relation to words implying ‘fear,’ see Schmidt, Synonymik d. gr. Sprache, No. 139. For its place among the terms descriptive of the effect of our Lord’s ministry on its witnesses, see art. Amazement.
Benjamin B. Warfield.