καταπίνω (G2666) — Greek Lexicon

καταπίνω

katapínō

G2666 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To swallow down or ingest completely, either literally (to cause to disappear from view by swallowing) or figuratively (to overwhelm, destroy, or consume completely). In literal contexts, refers to the act of swallowing an object or substance whole. Figuratively, describes the experience of being overcome, overwhelmed, or annihilated by external forces such as disasters, death, or emotions.

Semantic Range

to swallow (physically ingest whole), to eat or drink down, to devour, to consume completely, to overwhelm (figuratively), to destroy, to drown, to be overpowered or engulfed (by an event or force)

Root / Etymology

From the preposition κατα- (kata-, 'down') and the verb πίνω (pinō, 'to drink'). The compound indicates an intensified or thorough action of drinking, hence 'to drink down' or 'swallow completely.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in Classical Greek, where it is used both in the physical sense of swallowing (Euripides, Sophocles) and in metaphorical senses (e.g., to devour with emotion or fate). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it often appears in figurative contexts: for example, death or overwhelming adversity 'swallows up' or 'devours' a person (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:54, Hebrews 11:29, Revelation 12:16). The verb can apply to liquids (drinking), solids (swallowing), or abstract concepts (fears, destruction). English translations—especially 'devour' or 'swallow up'—often capture the metaphor but may miss the totality suggested in the Greek. Distinct from the simple πίνω (to drink), which typically involves ordinary drinking rather than complete engulfment or destruction.

Translation Consistency

primary "swallow" 7 occurrences

The primary sense of καταπίνω is literal swallowing—ingesting or causing to disappear by swallowing—and English idiomatically extends “swallow” to the common figurative senses (overwhelm, engulf, consume, destroy). It is the most natural, frequent rendering in the examples (e.g., “swallowed”) and cleanly covers the semantic range without sounding overly formal.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and πίνω; to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively):--devour, drown, swallow (up).

Root Family

καταπίνω (katapinō) — to drink down, to swallow, to consume entirely

Root καταπιν- to drink down, to swallow, to consume entirely

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2666-03`	καταποθῇ	katapothe	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG`	may be swallowed up	may be swallowed down	may be swallowed down	2
`G2666-01`	καταπιεῖν	katapiein	`V AOR ACT INF`	he may devour	to swallow down completely	to swallow down completely	1
`G2666-05`	κατεπόθη	katepothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	Death is swallowed up	was swallowed down	was swallowed down	1
`G2666-06`	κατεπόθησαν	katepothesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	were drowned	they were swallowed whole	they were swallowed up	1
`G2666-04`	κατέπιεν	katepien	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	swallowed	swallowed down completely	swallowed down completely	1
`G2666-02`	καταπίνοντες	katapinontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M PL`	swallow	swallowing down	swallowing down	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2666-02`	Matthew 23:24	καταπίνοντες	katapinontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M PL`	swallow	swallowing down	swallowing down
`G2666-05`	1 Corinthians 15:54	κατεπόθη	katepothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	Death is swallowed up	was swallowed down	was swallowed down
`G2666-03`	2 Corinthians 2:7	καταποθῇ	katapothe	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG`	should be swallowed up	may be swallowed down	may be swallowed down
`G2666-03`	2 Corinthians 5:4	καταποθῇ	katapothe	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG`	may be swallowed up	may be swallowed down	may be swallowed down
`G2666-06`	Hebrews 11:29	κατεπόθησαν	katepothesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	were drowned	they were swallowed whole	they were swallowed up
`G2666-01`	1 Peter 5:8	καταπιεῖν	katapiein	`V AOR ACT INF`	he may devour	to swallow down completely	to swallow down completely
`G2666-04`	Revelation 12:16	κατέπιεν	katepien	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	swallowed	swallowed down completely	swallowed down completely

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