κατιόω
katióō
G2728 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to corrode, to tarnish, used of metals decaying or being affected by rust or other corrosive processes; by extension, to become spoiled or ruined through corruption. The primary sense is the physical process of corrosion, especially as it applies to metals, but it may also carry a figurative meaning of moral or material decay depending on context.
Semantic Range
to corrode, to be covered with rust, to tarnish, to decay, to be affected by corrosion or spoiling
Root / Etymology
From the preposition κατά (kata, ‘down, according to’) and a verbal derivative of ἰός (ios, ‘rust, poison’); thus, literally ‘to rust down’ or ‘to become rusted/poisoned’. The -όω verbal ending is causative or resultative, meaning to make or become in the state indicated by the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Κατιόω is a rare word, appearing in Koine Greek almost solely in the New Testament (James 5:3) and not attested in earlier classical sources. The verb draws from the noun ἰός, which refers to rust (especially of metals), corrosion, and sometimes poison. The use in James 5:3 refers to the corrosion of gold and silver, pointing toward material wealth ultimately decaying. While standard English translations often render it as 'cankered' or 'corroded', these terms may not fully capture the broader sense of material spoilage or decay. In general Koine usage, the term does not appear to have an established figurative or moral sense outside this context, but early Christian writers used imagery of rust and decay to illustrate the impermanence of riches and worldly possessions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and a derivative of ἰός; to rust down, i.e. corrode:--canker.
Root Family
κατιόω (katioō) — rust, poison, corrosion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2728-01 |
κατίωται | katiotai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
has corroded | has been corroded | has been corroded | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2728-01 |
James 5:3 | κατίωται | katiotai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
has corroded | has been corroded | has been corroded |