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κωλύω

kōlýō

G2967 verb

SILEX Entry

Root κωλ- to hinder, to prevent, to restrain, to obstruct

Definition

To hinder, prevent, or restrain; in context, to actively impede or block an action, whether through word, physical intervention, or other means. Frequently used to express the act of forbidding, stopping, or prohibiting something from occurring or someone from acting. Depending on context, may also carry the sense of keeping back, withholding, or refusing to allow.

Semantic Range

to prevent, to hinder, to restrain, to stop, to forbid, to keep from, to withhold, to refuse permission

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb stem κωλ-; traditional lexica relate it to κολάζω ('to punish') via a sense of constraining or restraining, but the direct etymological link is debated. The base κωλ- indicates stopping or preventing; relationship to κολάζω may reflect a semantic rather than a morphological connection. Core meaning relates to prevention and restraint.

Historical & Contextual Notes

κωλύω appears in classical Greek from at least the fifth century BCE, typically with the sense 'to hinder,' 'to prevent,' or 'to restrain.' In Hellenistic and Koine usage (Septuagint, New Testament), it maintains these core senses, often conveying formal or social prohibition ('to forbid') but also used for more neutral prevention or impediment. In the New Testament, κωλύω is used in a variety of contexts: blocking someone's access (Acts 8:36), forbidding an action (Matthew 19:14), or preventing an event. English translations often render it as 'forbid,' 'hinder,' or 'prevent,' but the verb often encompasses both formal prohibition and general obstruction. Related terms include ἀπαγορεύω (to forbid formally or authoritatively), though κωλύω is typically broader and less formal. The connection to κολάζω ('punish') reflects an overlap in the idea of restraining, but κωλύω does not inherently carry the connotation of punishment, and its primary sense is that of prevention or prohibition. Standard English translations sometimes narrow its meaning to 'forbid,' but the word is often broader in Koine contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "prevent" 15 occurrences

“Prevent” naturally covers the verb’s full semantic range — hinder, stop, restrain, or refuse to allow — and works for physical obstruction or verbal prohibition (e.g. “prevent someone from doing X”). It is modern, natural English and maps well to the typical uses of κωλύω across contexts.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"hindered" (3x) "hinder" (3x) "withhold" (1x) "forbidding" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of κολάζω; to estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act):--forbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand.

Root Family

κωλύω (kōlyō) — to hinder, to prevent, to restrain, to obstruct

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2967-08 κωλύετε koluete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL hinder keep hindering keep preventing (you [plural]) 6
G2967-05 κωλύει koluei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG forbids he/she/it hinders he/she/it prevents 2
G2967-11 κωλῦσαί kolusai V AOR ACT INF refuse to hinder to hinder 2
G2967-01 ἐκωλύομεν ekoluomen V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL we forbade we were hindering we were preventing 2
G2967-10 κωλυόντων koluonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL forbidding of those hindering of those preventing 2
G2967-03 ἐκώλυσεν ekolusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG kept he hindered he prevented 2
G2967-02 ἐκωλύσατε ekolusate V AOR ACT IND 2P PL hindered you hindered you hindered 1
G2967-07 κωλύεσθαι koluesthai V PRS PASS INF they are hindered to be hindered to be hindered 1
G2967-04 ἐκωλύθην ekoluthen V AOR PASS IND 1P SG I was prevented I was hindered I was hindered 1
G2967-13 κωλυθέντες koluthentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL having been forbidden having been prevented having been prevented 1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2967-08 Matthew 19:14 κωλύετε koluete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL hinder keep hindering keep preventing (you [plural])
G2967-01 Mark 9:38 ἐκωλύομεν ekoluomen V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL we were forbidding we were hindering we were preventing
G2967-08 Mark 9:39 κωλύετε koluete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL hinder keep hindering keep preventing (you [plural])
G2967-08 Mark 10:14 κωλύετε koluete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL forbid keep hindering keep preventing (you [plural])
G2967-12 Luke 6:29 κωλύσῃς koluses V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG withhold you might hinder withhold
G2967-01 Luke 9:49 ἐκωλύομεν ekoluomen V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL we forbade we were hindering we were preventing
G2967-08 Luke 9:50 κωλύετε koluete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL hinder keep hindering keep preventing (you [plural])
G2967-02 Luke 11:52 ἐκωλύσατε ekolusate V AOR ACT IND 2P PL hindered you hindered you hindered
G2967-08 Luke 18:16 κωλύετε koluete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL hinder keep hindering keep preventing (you [plural])
G2967-09 Luke 23:2 κωλύοντα koluonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG forbidding one hindering forbidding
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