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κακουχέω

kakouchéō

G2558 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To treat badly, to inflict physical or mental suffering, to subject to mistreatment, to oppress. The term primarily indicates actions causing distress or pain, ranging from overt maltreatment (physical violence, torture) to broader adversity and oppression. It may be used with reference to deliberate, hostile acts by others resulting in hardship or torment.

Semantic Range

to treat evilly, to oppress, to abuse, to subject to adversity, to inflict pain or suffering, to mistreat, to torment

Root / Etymology

From κακός ('bad, evil, harmful') + a verbal form based on ἔχω ('to have, to hold, to possess'); thus, 'to hold/afflict with evil.' The compound structure is typical of Koine for intensifying meaning. The verb is formed by combining these roots to denote the act of 'holding in bad circumstances' or 'treating evilly.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb κακουχέω appears primarily in Hellenistic and Koine Greek and is rare or unattested in earlier classical sources. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it most often describes the suffering or mistreatment of individuals or groups, commonly in the context of oppression by hostile authorities or adversaries (cf. Heb 11:37; Acts 7:6, LXX). In such contexts, it often implies more than casual difficulty, signaling active persecution or deliberate infliction of distress. English translations traditionally render the word as 'torment,' 'suffer adversity,' or 'mistreat,' but each captures only a portion of its semantic scope. The term is less about inner emotional suffering and more focused on external acts of abuse or oppression, particularly by others. In the LXX, it translates Hebrew verbs meaning 'to do evil to,' 'to oppress,' or 'to mistreat.' The use diminishes outside biblical literature, and in later Greek its meaning is generally determined by context, always implying adversity imposed by agents or circumstances.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a presumed compound of κακός and ἔχω; to maltreat:--which suffer adversity, torment.

Root Family

κακουχέω (kakouchéō) — to harm, to mistreat, to oppress, to hold in adversity

Root κακ-έχ- to harm, to mistreat, to hold in adversity

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2558-01 κακουχούμενοι kakouchoumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL mistreated those being mistreated being mistreated 1
G2558-02 κακουχουμένων kakouchoumenon V PRS PASS PTCP GEN M PL ill-treated of those being mistreated of those being mistreated 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2558-01 Hebrews 11:37 κακουχούμενοι kakouchoumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL mistreated those being mistreated being mistreated
G2558-02 Hebrews 13:3 κακουχουμένων kakouchoumenon V PRS PASS PTCP GEN M PL ill-treated of those being mistreated of those being mistreated
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