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κατακαίω

katakaíō

G2618 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To burn down completely, to consume by fire so as to leave nothing remaining. The primary sense is the total destruction or consumption of something by burning, whether an object, structure, or even metaphorically in expressing complete removal or elimination.

Semantic Range

to burn down completely, to reduce to ashes, to consume wholly by fire, to utterly destroy by burning, to burn up, to eradicate by fire

Root / Etymology

From the compound of the preposition κατά ('down, against, entirely') and the verb καίω ('to burn'). The preposition intensifies the sense of the verb, emphasizing completeness or thoroughness in the burning action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κατακαίω appears in prose and poetry to indicate total destruction by fire. In the Septuagint, it is often used in sacrificial or punitive contexts (e.g., destruction of cities, idols, or enemies), typically to stress complete annihilation. In the New Testament, the term is found in contexts emphasizing absolute destruction (e.g., chaff consumed by unquenchable fire in Matt 3:12 and Luke 3:17). The word is more intensive than the simple καίω ('to burn'), as the prefix κατά adds the sense of completeness or thoroughness. Standard English translations such as 'burn up', 'burn down', or 'consume utterly' often capture this force, but may understate the irrevocable, total character of the action in Greek usage. There is sometimes a metaphorical extension to the idea of obliteration or eradication beyond the merely physical sense of burning.

Translation Consistency

primary "burn" 12 occurrences

katakaīō’s primary sense is destruction by fire. The simple verb “burn” is the most natural, widely used English verb that preserves the fire-action and can be strengthened by context (e.g. “completely burned,” “burned up”) to convey total consumption or reduction to ashes. It fits the typical usage better than a more general verb like “destroy.”

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and καίω; to burn down (to the ground), i.e. consume wholly:--burn (up, utterly).

Root Family

κατακαίω (katakaiō) — to burn, to consume by fire, to burn down completely

Root καιω- to burn, to consume by fire

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2618-07 κατεκάη katekae V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was-burned-up was utterly burned down was utterly burned down 3
G2618-02 κατακαίεται katakaietai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG are burned is being utterly burned up are burned up 2
G2618-04 κατακαύσει katakausei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he will burn up he will burn down completely he will burn down completely 2
G2618-01 κατακαήσεται katakaesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG is burned up will be completely burned down will be completely burned down 1
G2618-06 κατακαυθήσεται katakauthesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG she will be burned up will be completely burned down it will be completely burned up 1
G2618-03 κατακαῦσαι katakausai V AOR ACT INF burn to burn down completely to burn completely 1
G2618-08 κατέκαιον katekaion V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL burned they were burning down completely they were burning down completely 1
G2618-05 κατακαύσουσιν katakausousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL they will burn they will burn down completely they will burn down completely 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2618-04 Matthew 3:12 κατακαύσει katakausei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he will burn up he will burn down completely he will burn down completely
G2618-03 Matthew 13:30 κατακαῦσαι katakausai V AOR ACT INF burn to burn down completely to burn completely
G2618-02 Matthew 13:40 κατακαίεται katakaietai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG is burned is being utterly burned up is being utterly burned up
G2618-04 Luke 3:17 κατακαύσει katakausei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he-will-burn-up he will burn down completely it will burn down completely
G2618-08 Acts 19:19 κατέκαιον katekaion V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL burned they were burning down completely they were burning down completely
G2618-01 1 Corinthians 3:15 κατακαήσεται katakaesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG is burned up will be completely burned down will be completely burned down
G2618-02 Hebrews 13:11 κατακαίεται katakaietai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG are burned is being utterly burned up are burned up
G2618-07 Revelation 8:7 κατεκάη katekae V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was-burned-up was utterly burned down was utterly burned down
G2618-07 Revelation 8:7 κατεκάη katekae-2 V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was-burned-up was utterly burned down was utterly burned down
G2618-07 Revelation 8:7 κατεκάη katekae-3 V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was-burned-up was utterly burned down was utterly burned down
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