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κόπτω

kóptō

G2875 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To strike, cut, or chop; in extended usage, to beat oneself as an outward sign of grief, especially by striking the breast; to mourn or lament, often in the sense of public wailing or ritualized mourning; also to cut down or fell (as in trees or enemies). The principal sense is physical striking or cutting, which metaphorically extends to actions of mourning or lamentation displayed by bodily gestures.

Semantic Range

to strike, to cut, to chop; to beat oneself (esp. breast) as an act of mourning; to lament or wail in grief; to cut down (e.g., trees or enemies); to express public mourning via ritual gestures

Root / Etymology

From the root κοπ- (kop-), meaning 'to strike, cut, or chop.' Cognate with other Greek terms relating to cutting or striking (e.g., the base of τομώτερος, 'sharper'), though the semantic development emphasizes the physical act of cutting and by extension the demonstrative acts accompanying mourning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Classical Greek uses κόπτω primarily for physical acts of cutting, chopping, or striking (Homer, Herodotus). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament contexts, the term is frequently extended to ritual or public mourning, specifically the culturally recognized act of beating one's breast or body as a sign of profound grief (cf. LXX Jeremiah 16:6, NT Luke 8:52, 23:27). This usage is typically associated with funerals, disaster, or expressions of despair, and is part of the broader Mediterranean mourning tradition. English translations often render κόπτω as 'mourn' or 'lament,' but may omit the physical, performative aspect implied by the verb. The term can appear in both literal and figurative contexts—chopping wood or trees, cutting down enemies, or engaging in ritual mourning. It contrasts with verbs like πενθέω, which primarily mean 'to grieve' or 'to mourn' internally, whereas κόπτω involves an outward, physical component.

Translation Consistency

primary "strike" 2 occurrences

κόπτω’s principal sense is physical striking or cutting, and English “strike” naturally covers hitting, striking one’s breast (mourning), and figurative uses like striking down or cutting down. It’s a simple, natural verb that fits the typical and extended usages and so best ensures consistent rendering across all forms.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"mourning" (2x) "mourned" (1x) "cutting" (1x) "having cut" (1x) "mourn" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb; to "chop"; specially, to beat the breast in grief:--cut down, lament, mourn, (be-)wail. Compare the base of τομώτερος.

Root Family

κοπ- (enkopḗ) — to cut, to interrupt, to hinder

Root κοπ- to strike, to cut, to chop
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1464 ἐγκοπή an interruption
G2869 κοπάζω it subsided
G2870 κοπετός ritual mourning
G2871 κοπή of slaughter
G2872 κοπιάω I toiled

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2875-05 κόψονται kopsontai V FUT MID IND 3P PL will mourn they will strike themselves they will strike themselves 3
G2875-03 ἐκόπτοντο ekoptonto V IMPF MID IND 3P PL mourning they were striking themselves were mourning 2
G2875-01 ἐκόψασθε ekopsasthe V AOR MID IND 2P PL you lamented you struck yourselves you mourned 1
G2875-02 ἔκοπτον ekopton V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were cutting they were striking they were cutting 1
G2875-04 κόψαντες kopsantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having cut having struck having cut 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2875-01 Matthew 11:17 ἐκόψασθε ekopsasthe V AOR MID IND 2P PL you lamented you struck yourselves you mourned
G2875-02 Matthew 21:8 ἔκοπτον ekopton V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were cutting they were striking they were cutting
G2875-05 Matthew 24:30 κόψονται kopsontai V FUT MID IND 3P PL will mourn they will strike themselves they will strike themselves
G2875-04 Mark 11:8 κόψαντες kopsantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having cut having struck having cut
G2875-03 Luke 8:52 ἐκόπτοντο ekoptonto V IMPF MID IND 3P PL mourning they were striking themselves were mourning
G2875-03 Luke 23:27 ἐκόπτοντο ekoptonto V IMPF MID IND 3P PL were mourning they were striking themselves were mourning
G2875-05 Revelation 1:7 κόψονται kopsontai V FUT MID IND 3P PL will mourn they will strike themselves will mourn
G2875-05 Revelation 18:9 κόψονται kopsontai V FUT MID IND 3P PL will lament they will strike themselves they will strike themselves
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