Brief Overview of κατεσθίω (Strong’s G2719: katesthiō)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for grasping the nuances of New Testament texts and the cultural context of ancient Greek society. The Greek word κατεσθίω (katesthiō), meaning “to devour” or “to consume,” is particularly significant. This word appears in several New Testament passages, often conveying ideas of destruction, consumption, or the overwhelming power of an action. It is essential for interpreting passages that deal with judgment, spiritual destruction, or the intensity of certain actions or emotions.

Key Information

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The Greek word is κατεσθίω (katesthiō), pronounced [ka-tes-THEE-o].

The etymology of κατεσθίω comes from two root words: κατά (kata), meaning “down” or “against,” and ἐσθίω (esthiō), which means “to eat” or “to consume.” Together, they form a verb that intensifies the action of eating, implying complete consumption or devouring.

κατεσθίω is a verb. It follows the standard Greek conjugation patterns for verbs, with various forms for tense, voice, mood, person, and number. This verb appears primarily in the active voice, emphasizing the subject’s active involvement in the action of consuming or devouring.

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Primary Meanings

To Devour or Consume: The primary meaning of κατεσθίω is “to devour” or “to consume,” often used to describe the action of eating something completely or the destruction caused by an overwhelming force.

To Destroy Completely: Another meaning is “to destroy completely,” which emphasizes the thoroughness of the action, whether it is the destruction of physical objects, spiritual entities, or moral integrity.

To Eat Up or Swallow: In some contexts, κατεσθίω means “to eat up” or “to swallow,” highlighting the idea of engulfing or consuming something entirely, often with a negative connotation.

Similar Words

ἐσθίω (esthiō) [es-THEE-o]: This word means “to eat” and is more general than κατεσθίω, which implies a more intensive or complete action of consuming or devouring.

καταπίνω (katapinō) [ka-ta-PEE-no]: Meaning “to swallow” or “to gulp down,” καταπίνω can be used similarly to κατεσθίω but emphasizes the act of swallowing rather than devouring completely.

ἀφανίζω (aphanizō) [a-fa-NEE-zo]: This word means “to destroy” or “to make disappear.” Unlike κατεσθίω, which implies devouring, ἀφανίζω focuses on causing something to vanish or be destroyed.

Morphological Features

Tense, Voice, Mood: κατεσθίω appears primarily in the present, aorist, and future tenses, active voice, and indicative mood. The present tense denotes a continuous or repeated action, while the aorist tense denotes a simple, undefined action. The active voice highlights the subject’s role in performing the action.

Person and Number: The verb can be conjugated in different persons (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and numbers (singular, plural) to agree with the subject of the action.

Aspect: The verb’s aspect can be imperfective (present), suggesting ongoing action, or perfective (aorist), suggesting a completed action. Understanding these aspects is crucial for interpreting the nuance of passages where the word is used.

Conjugation Table for Present Indicative Active of κατεσθίω:

For a more detailed explanation of Greek grammar and conjugations, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

κατεσθίω is a vivid verb used in New Testament Greek to describe both literal and metaphorical acts of devouring or consuming. It is frequently used in contexts that emphasize destruction, judgment, or the overwhelming power of an action. For example, in Matthew 23:14, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for “devouring widows’ houses.” This term is also used metaphorically in Revelation to describe the destructive power of evil forces. In classical Greek literature, κατεσθίω is similarly used to convey ideas of overwhelming consumption or destruction, whether in battle or natural phenomena.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Related Scripture References

Matthew 23:14: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour [κατεσθίετε] widows’ houses, and for a pretense, you make long prayers; therefore, you will receive greater condemnation.”

Revelation 11:5: “And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours [κατεσθίει] their enemies; and if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.”

1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour [καταπιεῖν].”

Classical Usage

Summary of κατεσθίω (G2719)

κατεσθίω (katesthiō) is a Greek verb meaning “to devour,” “to consume,” or “to destroy completely.” It is used in the New Testament to describe the act of devouring both in a physical sense and metaphorically to convey spiritual destruction or judgment. Understanding this word is vital for interpreting passages that emphasize the power of destruction or the intensity of judgment in both biblical and classical contexts.

Did You Know?

The word κατεσθίω is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe not just physical consumption but also spiritual and moral corruption.

In Greek mythology, κατεσθίω is often used to describe the actions of mythical creatures that devour their enemies or prey, emphasizing the destructive power of the word.

The Septuagint uses κατεσθίω in contexts involving divine judgment, such as in the story of Aaron’s rod swallowing the rods of the Egyptian magicians, symbolizing the triumph of divine power over falsehood.