κατακυριεύω
katakyrieúō
G2634 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To gain dominion over, to exercise authoritative control over someone or something, often with a sense of subjugation or asserting mastery. In Koine contexts, the word frequently conveys the idea of dominating, subjecting, or exercising power over another, sometimes with a negative or oppressive nuance, depending on context.
Semantic Range
to dominate, to rule over, to exercise absolute authority, to subjugate, to assert mastery, to hold sway over, to act as a master, to exercise oppressive or hierarchical lordship
Root / Etymology
Compound formed from the preposition κατά (kata, meaning 'down, according to, against') and κυριεύω (kyrieúō, 'to be lord, to have authority, to rule'). Thus 'to lord down upon' or 'to exercise lordship over'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κατακυριεύω is rarely attested, but its use increases in Hellenistic and Koine sources. In the New Testament (e.g. Mark 10:42, 1 Peter 5:3), it characteristically describes hierarchical or authoritarian rule that contrasts with the ideal of humble or mutual leadership; often, it is presented in a negative light—contrasted with the pattern encouraged among followers. In the Septuagint and contemporaneous literature, it retains the focus of possessing power over, closely related to, but with a stronger or more intensive nuance than, the simplex κυριεύω. English translations as 'lord it over' or 'exercise dominion' can underdetermine the implied force, which suggests not merely rule but subjugation. The verb does not inherently carry religious connotations but describes social or institutional relationships of power.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and κυριεύω; to lord against, i.e. control, subjugate:--exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome.
Root Family
κατακυριεύω (katakyrieuō) — to rule, to exercise authority, to dominate, to subjugate
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2634-02 |
κατακυριεύουσιν | katakurieuousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
lord it over | they dominate | 2 |
G2634-01 |
κατακυριεύοντες | katakurieuontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
lording over | those dominating | 1 |
G2634-03 |
κατακυριεύσας | katakurieusas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
overpowered | having exercised lordship over | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2634-02 |
Matthew 20:25 | κατακυριεύουσιν | katakurieuousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
they dominate | |
G2634-02 |
Mark 10:42 | κατακυριεύουσιν | katakurieuousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
lord it over | they dominate |
G2634-03 |
Acts 19:16 | κατακυριεύσας | katakurieusas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
overpowered | having exercised lordship over |
G2634-01 |
1 Peter 5:3 | κατακυριεύοντες | katakurieuontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
lording over | those dominating |