Introduction

In Biblical studies, understanding the original Greek words used in the New Testament is crucial for interpreting their full meanings and nuances. One such word is κατακλείω (katakleiō), which appears in several key passages. This verb is important for grasping the themes of imprisonment, exclusion, and confinement, which play significant roles in the socio-political and spiritual contexts of the early Christian movement. The occurrences of κατακλείω in Luke 3:20 and Acts 26:10 shed light on the narrative dynamics and theological implications of locking up or shutting in, particularly regarding the opposition faced by the early Church.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: κατακλείω (katakleiō) [ka-ta-KLEI-o]
• Etymology Root Words and Their Meanings: Derived from κατά (kata, meaning “down” or “against”) and κλείω (kleiō, meaning “to shut” or “to close”).
• Part of Speech: Verb; it is commonly found in the aorist and present indicative forms in Biblical Greek.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To shut up or lock up securely.
• To close off or shut in.
• To imprison or confine.

Similar Words: κλείω (kleiō) [KLEI-o] also means “to shut” or “to close,” but κατακλείω emphasizes a stronger action, implying complete or forceful closure, often in the sense of imprisonment or exclusion.

Further Insights: The verb κατακλείω’s use in Biblical Greek often relates to situations where people or objects are securely shut away, often implying a sense of restriction or judgment. Below is a chart showing its conjugation in the present indicative form:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: Defines κατακλείω as “to shut up” or “to close securely,” often in contexts related to imprisonment or confinement.
• Thayer’s Lexicon: Explains κατακλείω as “to shut up” or “to imprison,” with a focus on contexts where the term implies a physical or metaphorical sealing off or exclusion.
• Vine’s Expository Dictionary: Highlights κατακλείω’s use in describing the act of imprisoning or locking someone away, often in a context that indicates judgment or exclusion.
• LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): Notes that κατακλείω in classical literature was used to describe locking or shutting securely, whether it was for protective, punitive, or exclusionary reasons.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists κατακλείω simply as “to shut up” or “to imprison,” underscoring its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Related Scripture References

• Luke 3:20 – “He added this also to them all: that he shut up [κατέκλεισεν] John in prison.”
  In this passage, κατακλείω is used to describe Herod’s action of imprisoning John the Baptist, illustrating a hostile response to John’s prophetic message against Herod’s unlawful marriage.
• Acts 26:10 – “And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up [κατέκλεισα] many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.”
  Here, Paul recounts his actions before his conversion, using κατακλείω to describe his role in imprisoning early Christians. This provides insight into the early Church’s persecution and the legal authority leveraged to suppress it.

Classical Usage

Summary of κατακλείω (G2623: katakleiō)

The Greek verb κατακλείω, meaning “to shut up” or “to imprison,” plays a vital role in conveying themes of confinement, exclusion, and authority in both Biblical and classical contexts. In Luke 3:20, it describes John the Baptist’s imprisonment by Herod, while in Acts 26:10, Paul recounts his role in imprisoning Christians before his conversion. These uses illustrate the socio-political and spiritual conflicts faced by the early Church. Understanding κατακλείω enriches our appreciation of Biblical narratives, shedding light on the struggles and persecution of the early followers of Jesus.

Did You Know?

• Fact 1: The prefix “kata-” in κατακλείω intensifies the verb, suggesting a complete or secure shutting away, as opposed to a simple closing.
• Fact 2: The use of κατακλείω in Biblical contexts often implies not just physical confinement but also spiritual or social exclusion.
• Fact 3: In ancient Greek literature, κατακλείω was commonly used to describe acts of securing places or people, reflecting societal concerns for safety and control.

Understanding κατακλείω provides valuable insights into the Biblical text and ancient Greek literature, highlighting how language is used to convey powerful themes of imprisonment, authority, and exclusion.