καταδουλόω (G2615) — Greek Lexicon

καταδουλόω

katadoulóō

G2615 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To subject completely to servitude, to reduce to a state of absolute slavery or subjugation; to enslave wholly, often carrying the sense of oppressive or thorough-going enslavement. In Koine contexts, it may denote literal enslavement or metaphorical subjection to a power, influence, or condition.

Semantic Range

to reduce to total slavery, to subject utterly, to bring into complete bondage, to subjugate entirely, to oppress thoroughly, to bring under absolute domination, (metaphorically) to subject to spiritual or moral bondage

Root / Etymology

From κατα- (kata-, 'down, thoroughly') and δουλόω (douloō, 'to enslave, make a slave'). The prefix κατα- intensifies the action, giving the sense of complete or thorough enslavement.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, καταδουλόω is relatively rare, with attested uses predominantly in later Greek and Jewish-Greek writings. The verb is built on the common verb δουλόω ('to enslave') but adds the prefix κατα-, emphasizing the sense of subjugation or total domination. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term occurs primarily in metaphorical contexts, such as being brought under the dominion of sin, law, or adverse powers, not exclusively to refer to literal chattel slavery. In Galatians 2:4 and 2 Corinthians 11:20 (NT), Paul uses the term to describe a situation of spiritual or communal oppression or the imposition of legalistic captivity. Standard English translations often use 'bring into bondage' or 'enslave,' but these renderings may not always capture the intensity or completeness of the subjugation implied in the Greek. The term does not carry a technical force related to the legal status of the enslaved but underscores the totality of the subjection. It stands in contrast to related terms such as δουλόω (to make a slave) or δουλεύω (to serve as a slave), the latter of which can imply service without complete loss of autonomy. No evidence suggests a significant semantic shift between Hellenistic literary sources and New Testament usage, but its metaphorical extension becomes more prominent in later texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and δουλόω; to enslave utterly:--bring into bondage.

Root Family

καταδουλόω (katadouloō) — to enslave utterly, to subject completely, to bring under absolute power

Root δουλ- to enslave, to subject, to bring under power

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2615-02`	καταδουλώσουσιν	katadoulosousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	they might bring into bondage	they will utterly enslave	they might bring into bondage	1
`G2615-01`	καταδουλοῖ	katadouloi	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	enslaves	he completely enslaves	he completely enslaves	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2615-01`	2 Corinthians 11:20	καταδουλοῖ	katadouloi	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	enslaves	he completely enslaves	he completely enslaves
`G2615-02`	Galatians 2:4	καταδουλώσουσιν	katadoulosousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	they might bring into bondage	they will utterly enslave	they might bring into bondage

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