καταγωνίζομαι (katagōnizomai)
katagōnizomai
to conquer
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katagōnizomai carries the forceful meaning of conquering or overcoming through a decisive struggle. As a compound word, it intensifies the root for "struggle" or "contest" with a prefix that suggests complete subjugation. The sources describe it as an action where one does not merely compete but ultimately prevails against an opponent, often in a context of warfare or intense conflict.
This term appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Hebrews 11:33. In this passage, it describes the victorious faith of Old Testament figures who subdued kingdoms and achieved deliverance. The usage highlights that their success was not accidental but the result of a spiritual battle won through trust in God.
Its rarity makes its single occurrence particularly significant. By choosing this strong word for "subdue," the author of Hebrews emphasizes the active, victorious nature of faith. It portrays believers not as passive observers but as participants who overcome obstacles and enemies through divine strength.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katagōnizomai appears just once in the New Testament, yet it carries a heavy weight. It describes a decisive victory achieved through intense struggle. In Hebrews 11:33, we see that faith is not a passive wish but an active force. The heroes of old did not merely hope for change; they subdued kingdoms and stopped lions' mouths through this powerful trust in God.
This single occurrence reminds us that our spiritual battles are real. We do not overcome by our own strength alone, but by leaning on the divine power that worked through those ancient figures. When you face obstacles that seem insurmountable, remember that faith engages the conflict directly. It is a confident participation in God's victory, turning apparent weakness into decisive triumph.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- conquered1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατηγωνίσαντο1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 11:33
who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
This verse uses katagōnizomai to describe how the faithful actively subdued kingdoms through trust, highlighting faith as an instrument of decisive spiritual power rather than passive belief.