καταβραβεύω
katabrabeúō
G2603 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To judge against, to decide or pronounce a verdict against someone in an athletic or competitive context; by extension, to deprive someone of a prize or reward by means of judgment or decision, to disqualify, to defraud of what is due. In figurative contexts, especially within moral or religious exhortation, to cause someone to lose or be deprived of their rightful reward or status.
Semantic Range
to give judgment against, to decide against (in a contest), to deprive of or disqualify from a prize, to defraud of a reward, to incite or cause forfeiture (figurative), to usurp the role of judge or umpire
Root / Etymology
Compound of κατα- ('down, against') and βραβεύω ('to act as umpire, to award a prize'), thus meaning 'to give judgment against' or 'to deprive by adverse decision'. The verb βραβεύω comes from βραβεύς, 'umpire' or 'referee', derived from the concept of awarding prizes at games.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word καταβραβεύω is rare and is found in Koine Greek literature primarily in Colossians 2:18. The image derives from the world of athletic contests, where an official (βραβεύς) would award prizes or decide a competitor’s status. In Colossians, Paul uses the term metaphorically, warning against those who would 'disqualify' or 'deprive' his audience of their reward, possibly by means of imposing ascetic or mystical practices. The participle form references a kind of usurpation of judgment — someone overstepping their role and wrongly disqualifying others. English translations vary, including 'disqualify', 'defraud', or 'beguile of reward', but these often lose the judicial or competitive nuance, which is central to the imagery. In broader Greek usage outside the NT, such competitive judicial terminology refers to decisions in games and contests, and so carries the nuance of both official authority and possible unjust deprivation when misapplied. There is no evidence that the word carried a specifically 'salvation' meaning outside the context imposed by later theological readings; its core sense is judicial or competitive disqualification.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and βραβεύω (in its original sense); to award the price against, i.e. (figuratively) to defraud (of salvation):--beguile of reward.
Root Family
καταβραβεύω (katabrabeuō) — to judge against, to decide against, to disqualify, to deprive of a prize
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2603-01 |
καταβραβευέτω | katabrabeueto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
disqualify | let him disqualify | disqualify | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2603-01 |
Colossians 2:18 | καταβραβευέτω | katabrabeueto | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
disqualify | let him disqualify | disqualify |