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κενόω

kenóō

G2758 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To empty, to make empty, to deprive of content or value. Primary lexical meaning is 'to make empty' with both literal (to remove contents from a vessel or space) and figurative dimensions. Figuratively, it can mean to deprive of significance, render powerless or null, to bring to nothing, or to humble/abase (especially in contexts involving status or honor). In certain literary settings, it may refer to rendering ineffective or void, making of no value or effect.

Semantic Range

to empty (literal), to deprive of contents, to deprive of value or effect, to nullify, to render powerless, to make of no significance, to humble or abase, to be in vain, to cancel or void

Root / Etymology

From the adjective κενός (kenós, 'empty, void, without content'), from the PIE root *ḱenos ('empty'). The verb κενόω is denominative, built on this adjective, and means 'to make empty.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

κενόω is attested in classical Greek but is more common in later Greek (Hellenistic, Koine), including the Septuagint and New Testament. The literal use (to empty a vessel) is rare in extant biblical Greek; more commonly, the verb is used metaphorically. In the Pauline epistles (e.g., Philippians 2:7), it is famously used in a theological context concerning self-abasement or self-emptying ('he emptied himself'), but the term itself carries broader connotations of relinquishing status, value, or effectiveness. In legal or rhetorical Greek, κενόω may refer to rendering an argument void or cancelling a legal claim. In the Septuagint, κενόω sometimes translates Hebrew words for 'destroy' or 'make void,' emphasizing the sense of nullification or removal of power. English translations such as 'make void,' 'render powerless,' or 'be in vain' attempt to capture the range but often obscure nuances such as the loss of honor or status. Cognate terms include κενός (empty, vain), κενῶσις (emptiness, emptying; later developed theological usage), but κενόω itself is not restricted to religious contexts in Greek literature.

Translation Consistency

primary "empty" 4 occurrences

“Empty” best matches the primary, literal sense (to make empty or remove contents) and naturally extends to the common figurative senses (to deprive of value, render void or powerless). It is simple, idiomatic English and can be inflected consistently for all forms of κενόω, while rarer senses (e.g. cancel, abase) can be handled in context-specific translations.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"emptied" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κενός; to make empty, i.e. (figuratively) to abase, neutralize, falsify:--make (of none effect, of no reputation, void), be in vain.

Root Family

κενόω (kenoō) — to empty, to make void, to deprive of value

Root κεν- to empty, to make void, to deprive of value

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2758-04 κενωθῇ kenothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG be made empty may be made empty may be made empty 2
G2758-01 ἐκένωσεν ekenosen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG emptied he emptied he emptied 1
G2758-03 κενώσει kenosei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will make empty will make empty will make empty 1
G2758-02 κεκένωται kekenotai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG is made void has been made empty has been made empty 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2758-02 Romans 4:14 κεκένωται kekenotai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG is made void has been made empty has been made empty
G2758-04 1 Corinthians 1:17 κενωθῇ kenothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG be made void may be made empty may be made empty
G2758-03 1 Corinthians 9:15 κενώσει kenosei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will make empty will make empty will make empty
G2758-04 2 Corinthians 9:3 κενωθῇ kenothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG be made empty may be made empty may be made empty
G2758-01 Philippians 2:7 ἐκένωσεν ekenosen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG emptied he emptied he emptied
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