ἀνακόπτω
anakóptō
G348
SILEX Entry
Definition
To hinder, obstruct, or impede progress; specifically, to cut into or interrupt a movement or process. The core meaning relates to the creation of an obstacle or resistance that checks or stops forward motion, whether literal (as in a physical roadblock) or figurative (impediments to plans, actions, or journeys). In Koine Greek, especially in New Testament contexts, it often describes the interruption of travel or an endeavor by external opposition or circumstances.
Semantic Range
to hinder, to obstruct, to impede, to interrupt, to prevent progress, to check (a movement or action), to beat back (figuratively or literally)
Root / Etymology
From ἀνά ('up', 'again', indicating repetition or reversal) and κόπτω ('to strike', 'to cut'), meaning literally 'to cut up/back against'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ἀνακόπτω is rare and typically means to cut up/back or strike in return. Its verb form appears mainly in later Greek and Hellenistic literature. In the Septuagint the term is scarcely used, but in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 2:18; Galatians 5:7) it refers to preventing or hindering someone from advancing, commonly in a figurative sense such as an obstacle to travel or ongoing work. Standard English Bible translations often render the term as 'hinder', 'prevent', or 'interrupt', which capture the immediate sense but may obscure the vivid image of 'cutting into' a path or activity. The term highlights the active and disruptive agency of the hindering force, in contrast with more passive words for being delayed or blocked. Its sense overlaps with, but is more forceful than, διακόπτω or ἐμποδίζω, which generally mean 'to interrupt' or 'to prevent'.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀνά and κόπτω; to beat back, i.e. check:--hinder.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.