κατακλάω
katakláō
G2622 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To break or shatter (something) completely or thoroughly, often with force or emphasis on destruction; by extension, to divide, dismantle, or burst asunder. The primary lexical meaning concerns the thorough act of breaking, emphasizing the completeness or extent of the rupture.
Semantic Range
to break thoroughly, to break down, to shatter, to divide by breaking, to dismantle, to burst asunder
Root / Etymology
From the preposition κατά ('down, against, thoroughly') and the verb κλάω ('to break'). The prefix intensifies the base meaning, indicating a complete breaking apart or downward action leading to destruction.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, compound verbs formed with κατά frequently intensify or specify the action of the base verb. While κλάω can mean 'to break' in a general sense (as in breaking bread), κατακλάω emphasizes a more thorough, often destructive breaking. In the Septuagint and other Koine texts, it is used in contexts of breaking bones, destroying objects, or dismantling structures. Occurrences in the New Testament are rare; when used, the term retains the sense of total rupture or division. Standard English translations often render both κλάω and κατακλάω as 'break,' but the nuance of complete or downward-breaking action expressed by the prefix can be lost. Related compounds may include διακλάω ('break apart, sunder') for comparison. κατακλάω does not carry specialized religious or ritual connotations and normally describes a physical action. The word's usage is consistent across Greek literature from classical through Koine periods, always conveying a decisive act of breaking.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and κλάω; to break down, i.e. divide:--break.
Root Family
κλα- (katakláō) — to break, to shatter, to rupture
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2622-01 |
κατέκλασεν | kateklasen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
broke | he shattered completely | he broke | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences