κατάγνυμι
katágnymi
G2608 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To break, fracture, or shatter (something) by force; to crush or burst asunder. The primary lexical meaning is to cause a solid object to be violently separated into parts or fragments. In extended contexts, it can carry nuances of violent destruction or the overcoming and breaking down of something material.
Semantic Range
to break apart, to shatter, to burst, to crack or splinter asunder, to crush, to destroy by breaking
Root / Etymology
From κατά (kata, 'down' or 'against,' intensifying the action) and the root of ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnumi, 'to break, burst'). The prefix adds force, giving the sense of 'to break down' or 'to break to pieces.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in classical Greek to describe the breaking of bones, weapons, or other solid objects; it is a word of strong intensity, often conveying the sense of forceful shattering or crushing. In the Septuagint, it is used to describe breaking objects, idols, or barriers, typically with a sense of total destruction (e.g., idols 'broken to pieces'). The term is rare in extant New Testament texts but follows the same usage in LXX and general Koine. Standard English translations such as 'break' may obscure its specifically violent or intensive sense of shattering or splitting. Related verbs like θραύω and συντρίβω can indicate breaking, but κατάγνυμι emphasizes fracture through force and the resulting fragmentation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and the base of ῥήγνυμι; to rend in pieces, i.e. crack apart:--break.
Root Family
κατάγνυμι (katágnymi) — to break, to shatter, to burst, to break down by force
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2608-02 |
κατέαξαν | kateaxan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
broke | they were shattering | 2 |
G2608-01 |
κατεαγῶσιν | kateagosin | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL |
might be broken | they might be shattered | 1 |
G2608-03 |
κατεάξει | kateaxei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will shatter | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2608-03 |
Matthew 12:20 | κατεάξει | kateaxei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will shatter | |
G2608-01 |
John 19:31 | κατεαγῶσιν | kateagosin | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL |
might be broken | they might be shattered |
G2608-02 |
John 19:32 | κατέαξαν | kateaxan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
broke | they were shattering |
G2608-02 |
John 19:33 | κατέαξαν | kateaxan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they broke | they were shattering |