καπηλεύω
kapēleúō
G2585 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To act as a retailer or huckster, especially one who seeks profit through dubious means; to peddle goods or profit from something, often with the implication of adulteration, exploitation, or corruption. In extended usage, to exploit or adulterate something for personal gain, including distorting or misrepresenting teachings or messages for advantage.
Semantic Range
to act as a retailer or huckster, to engage in petty trade, to sell adulterated goods, to exploit or corrupt (especially a teaching or message) for profit, to misrepresent for advantage
Root / Etymology
From the noun καπῆλος (kapēlos), meaning 'huckster' or 'retailer,' with the verb ending -εύω, which denotes action or practice associated with that noun. The term is originally commercial, then metaphorically applied to non-commercial contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, καπηλεύω referred to the activity of a καπῆλος—a petty retailer, especially of wine, who sometimes diluted or adulterated products for profit. The term developed negative connotations of dishonesty or mercenary behavior. In Koine and New Testament Greek (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:17), it is used figuratively to describe corrupting or adulterating teachings, especially sacred or authoritative messages, for personal advantage. This metaphorical use emphasizes exploitation or distortion rather than simple trade. English Bible translations often render it as 'to corrupt' or 'to peddle,' but these may not fully convey the commercial and exploitative overtones present in the Greek. In wider Greek and Roman usage, the καπῆλος was a social type associated with suspicion and lack of integrity; thus, the verb carried a similar moral undertone.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (a huckster); to retail, i.e. (by implication) to adulterate (figuratively):--corrupt.
Root Family
καπηλεύω (kapēleuō) — to retail, to peddle, to adulterate, to exploit for gain
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2585-01 |
καπηλεύοντες | kapeleuontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
peddling | peddling for profit | peddling for profit | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2585-01 |
2 Corinthians 2:17 | καπηλεύοντες | kapeleuontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
peddling | peddling for profit | peddling for profit |