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καταλύω

katalýō

G2647 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To break up or bring to an end by causing dissolution or disintegration; commonly, to destroy, demolish (of a physical structure such as a building), to abolish or put an end to something non-physical (such as a law, custom, or agreement), or to break up (as in halting a journey or making a stop, often for a night's lodging). The different senses include literal demolition, figurative nullification or termination, and the act of staying or lodging temporarily during travel.

Semantic Range

to destroy, demolish, dismantle, break up, abolish, nullify, overthrow, dissolve, end, lodge, stay (temporarily), halt for the night

Root / Etymology

From the preposition κατά ('down, against, according to') prefixed to λύω ('to loose, release, dissolve'). The compound thus literally means 'to loosen down.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, καταλύω is primarily used in the sense of 'destroying' or 'dismantling,' usually applied to buildings or structures. In Koine contexts (including the Septuagint and New Testament), this meaning persists, especially for the destruction or demolition of buildings (e.g., the Temple in Matt 24:2, Mark 13:2). Figuratively, it extends to the idea of abolishing laws, customs, or agreements. Additionally, in travel contexts, the word can mean 'to break up (a journey)' or 'to halt,' especially overnight, as in lodging at an inn or guesthouse (compare κατάλυμα, 'guest room, lodging place'). Standard English translations sometimes obscure the range of meaning by translating almost exclusively as 'destroy' or 'overthrow.' However, the verb can clearly also refer to the action of stopping to lodge, particularly in narrative contexts describing travel or hospitality. The word's use in the LXX and New Testament draws on both the literal and figurative meanings, making sense of debates in interpretation (e.g., whether referring to physical destruction or abolishing an institution).

Translation Consistency

primary "destroy" 11 occurrences

katalyō most commonly carries the sense of breaking up, demolishing, or abolishing—literal destruction and figurative nullification—so “destroy” is the natural, consistent English base verb that covers the typical uses (demolish, abolish, nullify). The rare sense of lodging/halting is exceptional and will be handled contextually.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"thrown down" (1x) "dismantle" (1x) "lodge" (1x) "stay" (1x) "bring to an end" (1x) "dismantling" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and λύω; to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare κατάλυμα) to halt for the night:--destroy, dissolve, be guest, lodge, come to nought, overthrow, throw down.

Root Family

καταλύω (katalyō) — to loosen down, destroy, bring to an end, dissolve

Root καταλύ- to loosen down, destroy, bring to an end, dissolve

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2647-03 καταλῦσαι katalusai V AOR ACT INF to abolish to bring to an end to destroy 5
G2647-08 καταλυθήσεται kataluthesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG be thrown down will be brought to an end will be destroyed 3
G2647-07 καταλυθῇ kataluthe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG is destroyed may be dissolved may be destroyed 2
G2647-02 καταλύων kataluon V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M SG destroyest O one destroying destroying 2
G2647-09 κατέλυσα katelusa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I destroyed I brought to an end I destroyed 1
G2647-04 καταλύσει katalusei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will destroy he/she/it will bring to an end he will bring to an end 1
G2647-06 καταλύσωσιν katalusosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL they may find lodging they might bring to an end they may lodge 1
G2647-01 κατάλυε katalue V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG tear down Be dismantling be dismantling 1
G2647-05 καταλύσω kataluso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG will destroy I will dismantle I will dismantle 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2647-03 Matthew 5:17 καταλῦσαι katalusai V AOR ACT INF to abolish to bring to an end to destroy
G2647-03 Matthew 5:17 καταλῦσαι katalusai-2 V AOR ACT INF to abolish to bring to an end to destroy
G2647-08 Matthew 24:2 καταλυθήσεται kataluthesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG be thrown down will be brought to an end will be destroyed
G2647-03 Matthew 26:61 καταλῦσαι katalusai V AOR ACT INF to destroy to bring to an end to destroy
G2647-02 Matthew 27:40 καταλύων kataluon V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M SG destroying O one destroying destroying
G2647-07 Mark 13:2 καταλυθῇ kataluthe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG will be thrown down may be dissolved will be thrown down
G2647-05 Mark 14:58 καταλύσω kataluso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG will destroy I will dismantle I will dismantle
G2647-02 Mark 15:29 καταλύων kataluon V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M SG destroyest O one destroying destroying
G2647-06 Luke 9:12 καταλύσωσιν katalusosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL they may find lodging they might bring to an end they may lodge
G2647-03 Luke 19:7 καταλῦσαι katalusai V AOR ACT INF to stay to bring to an end to stay
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