κολάζω
kolázō
G2849 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to restrain, to impede, or to restrict someone or something; in extended senses, to chastise, discipline, or punish, especially with the intent to correct or inhibit future wrongdoing. In classical Greek, the primary sense is to cut back or prune (especially plants or limbs), with metaphorical development in later literature toward the sense of restraining or correcting human behavior, often by means of punishment or discipline. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term most frequently refers to punitive action, either for correction or containment.
Semantic Range
to prune (plants); to restrain or impede; to chastise; to discipline; to punish for the sake of correction; to punish for wrongdoing
Root / Etymology
From the root κολαζ- (kolaz-), possibly related to the word κολάζω (to prune, to cut short). The etymology is commonly traced to the concept of cutting back, limiting, or inhibiting growth. The connection to 'dwarf' (κολός, meaning 'maimed' or 'stunted') supports the sense of curtailment or prevention, but the primary derivation is from a verb of restriction rather than stature.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κολάζω originally signified the act of pruning or limiting growth, particularly of plants, and was extended to mean the restraining or curtailing of actions, whether physical or moral. Over time, this sense developed into the idea of limiting through punitive measures, leading to the notion of chastisement or punishment as a corrective or retributive response. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the Septuagint and New Testament, κολάζω emphasizes punitive discipline but often retains the undertone of correction or prevention rather than vindictive punishment. English translations often simply render it 'punish,' but this may obscure the word's original corrective and restraining connotations. κολάζω is distinct from τιμωρέω, which often conveys avenging or retributive punishment more specifically. In the New Testament, κολάζω appears in contexts describing eschatological punishment and social discipline alike, typically with the emphasis on restriction or curtailment of harmful action.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (dwarf); properly, to curtail, i.e. (figuratively) to chastise (or reserve for infliction):--punish.
Root Family
κολάζω (kolazō) — to cut back, to restrain, to correct
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2849-01 |
κολάσωνται | kolasontai | V AOR MID SUBJ 3P PL |
they might punish | they might discipline | they might punish | 1 |
G2849-02 |
κολαζομένους | kolazomenous | V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M PL |
being punished | those being disciplined | those being disciplined | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2849-01 |
Acts 4:21 | κολάσωνται | kolasontai | V AOR MID SUBJ 3P PL |
they might punish | they might discipline | they might punish |
G2849-02 |
2 Peter 2:9 | κολαζομένους | kolazomenous | V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M PL |
being punished | those being disciplined | those being disciplined |