καθοπλίζω

kathoplízō

G2528 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To equip or arm fully, especially with weapons or defensive gear; to outfit or supply completely for battle or conflict. In context, emphasizes the act of preparing someone or something thoroughly, particularly with reference to the provision of armor or military equipment.

Semantic Range

to arm fully, to equip completely (with weapons or armor), to outfit thoroughly for battle; to provide full defensive armament

Root / Etymology

From κατά (kata, intensifying prefix, 'down, throughout, according to') + ὁπλίζω (hoplizō, 'to arm, to equip with weapons'), itself deriving from ὅπλον ('weapon, implement, tool'). Thus, the term means 'to thoroughly equip or arm.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

καθοπλίζω is a rare compound verb in Koine Greek, with limited attestations outside biblical and related literature. The prefix κατά intensifies the notion of equipping, implying a full or thorough outfitting, often for military purposes. In the Septuagint and contemporary sources, the verb can describe both literal arming with physical weapons and, rarely, metaphorical preparation for opposition or conflict. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 11:22), it is used in the context of someone losing their defensive armament to a more powerful intruder. Standard English translations such as 'arm' or 'equip' may not fully convey the thoroughness and completeness implied by the prefix. The verb can be contrasted with ὁπλίζω (to arm), which does not emphasize total or comprehensive arming. The word does not appear frequently in non-biblical classical literature and is characteristic of more technical or military language.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά; and ὁπλίζω; to equip fully with armor:--arm.

Root Family

καθοπλίζω (kathoplizō) — to arm, to equip, to prepare thoroughly

Root ὁπλ- to arm, to equip, to prepare

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2528-01 καθωπλισμένος kathoplismenos V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG fully armed having been fully armed having been fully armed 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2528-01 Luke 11:21 καθωπλισμένος kathoplismenos V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG fully armed having been fully armed having been fully armed