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ἀποκεφαλίζω

apokephalízō

G607 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To remove the head; specifically, to decapitate. In contexts, refers to the intentional act of severing the head from the body, whether as a form of execution, punishment, or in descriptions of violent deaths. The primary meaning is literal and physical, with no significant metaphorical usage in extant sources.

Semantic Range

to behead, to decapitate, to remove the head as a form of execution or violent act

Root / Etymology

From ἀπό (apo, 'from, away from') and κεφαλή (kephalē, 'head'), formed as a compound verb by suffixing -ίζω to indicate causing an action. Thus, 'to cause (the head) to be removed from.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested primarily in later Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament period, and is not common in Classical Greek sources. Used in the Septuagint for executions or descriptions of violent deaths involving beheading (e.g., Judges, 2 Kings). In the New Testament, most notably used of the execution of John the Baptizer (Mark 6:16,27; Matt 14:10). The term is always literal in extant Koine texts; there is no evidence it was used metaphorically within biblical or extra-biblical Hellenistic literature. The English tradition renders it as 'behead' or 'decapitate,' accurately reflecting the Greek; however, the Greek term is more clinical, lacking the euphemistic or metaphorical layers occasionally found in English idioms. Related verbs such as ἀνακεφαλαιόω ('summarize') are distinct and unrelated in meaning.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and κεφαλή; to decapitate:--behead.

Root Family

ἀποκεφαλίζω (apokephalizō) — head, cut off, remove the head, decapitate

Root κεφαλ- head, to cut off, remove (the head)

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G607-01 ἀπεκεφάλισα apekephalisa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG beheaded I beheaded beheaded 2
G607-02 ἀπεκεφάλισεν apekephalisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG beheaded he decapitated he beheaded 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G607-02 Matthew 14:10 ἀπεκεφάλισεν apekephalisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG beheaded he decapitated he decapitated
G607-01 Mark 6:16 ἀπεκεφάλισα apekephalisa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG beheaded I beheaded beheaded
G607-02 Mark 6:27 ἀπεκεφάλισεν apekephalisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG beheaded he decapitated he beheaded
G607-01 Luke 9:9 ἀπεκεφάλισα apekephalisa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG beheaded I beheaded I beheaded
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