κατακλύζω
kataklýzō
G2626 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to inundate or flood thoroughly; to submerge completely by a large quantity of water, particularly in the sense of overwhelming or deluging. The term is used both for literal flooding (such as the inundation of land by water) and figuratively for overwhelming destruction by waters. In biblical usage, it typically refers specifically to a catastrophic or divine flood, most notably the deluge of Noah's era.
Semantic Range
to flood, to inundate, to submerge, to deluge, to overwhelm (with water), to destroy by flooding
Root / Etymology
From the preposition κατά ('down, against, according to') and the verb κλύζω ('to wash over, to surge, to flood'), itself related to κλύδων ('wave, surge'). Thus, κατακλύζω literally means 'to flood down' or 'to wash down upon'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
κατακλύζω is rare in classical Greek, mostly appearing in later and Koine Greek contexts, including the Septuagint and New Testament, where it specifically refers to great floods or inundations, such as the Genesis flood (Genesis 7 LXX). In these contexts, it is closely associated with divine judgment and cosmic catastrophe, setting it apart from more generic terms for 'flood' or 'wash' (e.g., πλημμυρίζω, βρέχω). English translations often render it as 'flood,' 'overflow,' or 'deluge,' but these may lack the catastrophic or overwhelming nuance of the Greek term. In non-biblical Koine literature, its use is limited and usually carries a similar sense of total submersion or destruction by water.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and the base of κλύδων; to dash (wash) down, i.e. (by implication) to deluge:--overflow.
Root Family
κλύζ- (kataklýzō) — to wash over, to surge, to inundate
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2626-01 |
κατακλυσθεὶς | kataklustheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
being flooded | having been deluged | having been deluged | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2626-01 |
2 Peter 3:6 | κατακλυσθεὶς | kataklustheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
being flooded | having been deluged | having been deluged |