ἐγκόπτω (G1465) — Greek Lexicon

ἐγκόπτω

enkóptō

G1465 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To cut into, interrupt, or hinder—literally meaning to make an incision or to block progression by cutting, and figuratively to impede, obstruct, or cause a delay in an action or movement. In metaphorical or derived senses, to prevent or thwart someone’s plans or progress, to create difficulties, or to impose an obstacle.

Semantic Range

to cut into (physically), to interrupt, to impede, to hinder, to block, to prevent, to create an obstacle, to delay

Root / Etymology

From ἐν ('in, into') and κόπτω ('to cut, strike'), thus literally 'to cut into.' The compound suggests the act of cutting in such a way as to create an interruption or impediment.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐγκόπτω describes physical actions such as making a cut or notch, or a literal interruption in a material or path. By the Hellenistic and especially New Testament periods, the verb more frequently appears in figurative contexts where it denotes the prevention or obstruction of progress, whether physical, social, or metaphorical. In the New Testament (e.g. Galatians 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; Romans 15:22), it often refers to the hindrance of a person’s efforts, travel, or mission, emphasizing an external force or obstruction rather than a mere delay. Standard English translations render it as 'hinder' or 'obstruct,' but the Greek encompasses both the sense of physical interruption and more abstract or figurative impediments. The semantic shift from literal 'cutting into' to impeding progress is well attested in Koine usage. ἐγκόπτω can contrast with terms like διακωλύω ('to prevent completely or forbid') or ἐμποδίζω ('to block, hinder, obstruct'), with ἐγκόπτω highlighting the act of impeding by actively interrupting a process, rather than imposing a prohibition or complete blockade.

Translation Consistency

primary "hinder" 3 occurrences

Hinder best covers the SILEX range—both the literal sense of cutting in or blocking progress and the common figurative senses (impede, obstruct, prevent, delay). It is natural English and broad enough to be used consistently for all forms of ἐγκόπτω.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):

"impeded" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and κόπτω; to cut into, i.e. (figuratively) impede, detain:--hinder, be tedious unto.

Root Family

ἐγκόπτω (enkoptō) — to cut into, to strike, to interrupt, to hinder, to impede

Root κοπτ- to cut, to strike, to make an incision

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1465-01`	ἐνέκοψεν	enekopsen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	hindered	cut in and hindered	cut in and hindered	2
`G1465-02`	ἐνεκοπτόμην	enekoptomen	`V IMPF PASS IND 1P SG`	I have been hindered	I was being impeded	I was being impeded	1
`G1465-04`	ἐνκόπτω	enkopto	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I hinder	I may cut in	I may hinder	1
`G1465-03`	ἐνκόπτεσθαι	enkoptesthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	be hindered	to be impeded	to be impeded	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1465-04`	Acts 24:4	ἐνκόπτω	enkopto	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I hinder	I may cut in	I may hinder
`G1465-02`	Romans 15:22	ἐνεκοπτόμην	enekoptomen	`V IMPF PASS IND 1P SG`	I have been hindered	I was being impeded	I was being impeded
`G1465-01`	Galatians 5:7	ἐνέκοψεν	enekopsen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	hindered	cut in and hindered	cut in and hindered
`G1465-01`	1 Thessalonians 2:18	ἐνέκοψεν	enekopsen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	hindered	cut in and hindered	cut in and hindered
`G1465-03`	1 Peter 3:7	ἐνκόπτεσθαι	enkoptesthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	be hindered	to be impeded	to be impeded

← G1464 Greek Lexicon G1466 →