Brief Overview of κατείδωλος (Strong’s G2712: kateidōlos)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for interpreting the New Testament and understanding the cultural and religious context of ancient Greek society. The Greek word κατείδωλος (kateidōlos), which translates to “full of idols” or “given to idolatry,” is particularly significant in discussions of idolatry and the worship of false gods. It captures the essence of cities or regions heavily populated with idols or dominated by idol worship. This word is especially relevant in interpreting New Testament passages that address the challenges early Christians faced in a polytheistic society and how they were encouraged to remain faithful to the one true God.

Key Information

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The Greek word is κατείδωλος (kateidōlos), pronounced [ka-TEI-do-los].

The etymology of κατείδωλος comes from two root words: κατά (kata), meaning “down,” “against,” or “intensively,” and εἴδωλον (eidōlon), which means “idol” or “image.” Together, they form an adjective that describes something “full of idols” or “completely idolatrous,” implying a thorough or saturated state of idolatry.

κατείδωλος is an adjective. It follows the standard Greek declension patterns for adjectives and can modify nouns in various cases, numbers, and genders to match the noun it describes.

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Primary Meanings

Full of Idols: The primary meaning of κατείδωλος is “full of idols,” referring to a place or environment heavily populated with physical representations of gods or idols.

Given to Idolatry: Another meaning is “given to idolatry,” indicating a state or condition of being immersed in or dedicated to idol worship. This connotation often carries a negative implication of moral or spiritual corruption.

Idolatrous: The word can also mean “idolatrous,” used to describe people, places, or practices associated with the worship of idols rather than the worship of the one true God in the Judeo-Christian context.

Similar Words

εἴδωλον (eidōlon) [EI-do-lon]: This word means “idol” or “image” and is the root from which κατείδωλος is derived. It specifically refers to a physical representation of a god or an object of worship.

ειδωλολατρεία (eidōlolatreia) [ei-do-lo-la-TREI-a]: Meaning “idolatry,” this word focuses on the practice or act of worshiping idols. Unlike κατείδωλος, which describes a state of being full of idols, ειδωλολατρεία refers more directly to the act itself.

εἰδωλολάτρης (eidōlolatrēs) [ei-do-lo-LA-tres]: This word means “idolater,” describing a person who practices idolatry. It specifically identifies someone who engages in idol worship, whereas κατείδωλος is more about the environment or state of idolatry.

Morphological Features

Case, Number, Gender: κατείδωλος is an adjective and must agree with the noun it modifies in case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative), number (singular, plural), and gender (masculine, feminine, neuter). It follows standard declension patterns for adjectives.

Declension Table for κατείδωλος:

This table shows the adjective’s different forms based on the grammatical case, number, and gender of the noun it modifies.

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

Lexicon Insights

κατείδωλος is an adjective used to describe cities or regions that are thoroughly given to idol worship, filled with idols, or completely immersed in a state of idolatry. In the New Testament, the word captures the tension between the early Christian message and the prevailing religious practices of the time. It often serves to contrast the monotheistic worship of the God of Israel with the polytheistic practices of surrounding cultures. In classical Greek literature, the term would be used in a similar context to describe areas saturated with idol worship or those deeply embedded in pagan traditions. The theological implications of this term highlight the challenge for early Christians to navigate a world filled with idolatry while remaining faithful to their beliefs.

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

Related Scripture References

Acts 17:16: “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols (κατείδωλον).”

Classical Usage

Summary of κατείδωλος (G2712)

κατείδωλος (kateidōlos) is a Greek adjective meaning “full of idols,” “given to idolatry,” or “idolatrous.” It describes places or people deeply entrenched in idol worship, and it is a term used to capture the essence of spiritual and cultural contexts where polytheism prevails. It appears in the New Testament in Acts 17:16 to describe the city of Athens, highlighting the challenge Paul faced as he preached the gospel in a city overwhelmed by idols. Understanding this term provides insight into the broader themes of idolatry versus monotheism in Biblical literature and ancient Greek culture.

Did You Know?

The term κατείδωλος provides a vivid image of the spiritual state of a city or region, emphasizing the overwhelming presence of idols and the extent of idol worship.

In early Christian writings, areas described as κατείδωλος were seen as mission fields where the gospel had not yet penetrated, symbolizing the spiritual battles between light and darkness.

The use of κατείδωλος in classical texts like those of Herodotus and Plutarch shows that even non-Christian authors recognized the saturation of idolatry in certain cities and critiqued it from a philosophical or ethical perspective.