καταπονέω (G2669) — Greek Lexicon

καταπονέω

kataponéō

G2669 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To exhaust, wear out, or crush through sustained exertion, toil, or ongoing hardship; to subdue or overwhelm, whether physically or metaphorically, by burden or affliction. The verb primarily denotes a process in which a person or group is made weary, overcome by effort or suffering, or pressed down by difficult circumstances or forces (sometimes extending to moral or spiritual suffering). In some contexts, it also conveys the notion of oppression or being heavily afflicted by another's actions or by misfortune.

Semantic Range

to exhaust through toil, to wear out with enduring hardship, to oppress or subdue with suffering, to subject to continual adversity, to distress or afflict (physically, emotionally, or spiritually)

Root / Etymology

From the preposition κατά (down, against) and a derivative of πόνος (toil, labor, pain); thus meaning 'to toil down' or 'to press down with toil or hardship.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, καταπονέω is found rarely, with the meaning 'to exhaust' or 'wear out' through labor or suffering. In Koine Greek, including the New Testament (e.g., Acts 7:24; 2 Peter 2:7), it denotes being harshly treated, oppressed, or worn down, usually by another's hostile or unjust actions, but sometimes by circumstances or affliction. The term is used for both physical and non-physical affliction, with an emphasis on the result: exhaustion, subjugation, or distress. English translations, such as 'oppress' or 'vex,' often reflect the figurative expansion in contexts but may not fully capture the nuance of ongoing exhaustion or subjection suggested by the Greek. The verb does not always carry the sense of overt violence; it may also describe more gradual or systemic forms of hardship or suffering. The related noun πόνος underlies the sense of pain, effort, or trouble, which is intensified by the prefix κατά to indicate downward pressure or subduing force.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and a derivative of πόνος; to labor down, i.e. wear with toil (figuratively, harass):--oppress, vex.

Root Family

καταπον- (kataponéō) — to wear out, to exhaust, to oppress

Root καταπον- to wear out, to exhaust, to oppress

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2669-01`	καταπονουμένῳ	kataponoumeno	`V PRS PASS PTCP DAT M SG`	oppressed	to the one being worn down	one being worn down	1
`G2669-02`	καταπονούμενον	kataponoumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	being distressed	being worn down	being worn down	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2669-01`	Acts 7:24	καταπονουμένῳ	kataponoumeno	`V PRS PASS PTCP DAT M SG`	oppressed	to the one being worn down	one being worn down
`G2669-02`	2 Peter 2:7	καταπονούμενον	kataponoumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	being distressed	being worn down	being worn down

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