κατακαίω (katakaiō)
katakaiō
to burn
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katakaiō means to burn completely or consume by fire. It carries a stronger sense of intensity than the simple word for burning, suggesting total destruction rather than just ignition. In the New Testament, it appears ten times, with significant usage in the Gospels and the Book of Revelation.
This word often describes a final, irreversible act. Jesus uses it to depict the fate of chaff that is burned up in unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12; Luke 3:17). It also appears in Revelation to describe the complete consumption of Babylon by flames (Revelation 18:8) and the burning of sin offerings outside the camp (Hebrews 13:11). The prefix kata- intensifies the root, pointing to an outcome where nothing remains.
Translators typically render it as "burn up" or "consume," emphasizing the totality of the result. Unlike a fire that merely warms or lights, katakaiō leaves no residue. This distinction highlights the severity of judgment or purification depicted in these texts, where the object is entirely removed by the heat.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word katakaiō describes a fire that does not just warm or light, but consumes entirely. It suggests an outcome where nothing remains of what was burned. This intensity appears in Jesus’ teaching about the final separation between wheat and chaff. The image is stark: the valuable is gathered safely, while the worthless is utterly destroyed by unquenchable fire.
For believers, this word carries both warning and hope. It reminds us that God’s judgment is real and decisive. Yet it also points to His care for what is precious. When we trust in Christ, we are like the wheat gathered into the barn. Our lives are secure in His hands, even when the world around us faces destruction.
This truth invites peace. We do not need to fear the final outcome because our salvation rests in God’s faithful keeping. The same power that burns away what is useless preserves and protects those who belong to Him. In every season, we can rest in the certainty that nothing eternal is lost.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- He will burn up2×
- will be burned up,1×
- were burning [them]1×
- were burned up,1×
- was burned up;1×
- was burned up.1×
- to burn1×
- they will burn1×
- she will be burned up,1×
- is burned up,1×
- are burned1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατακαύσει2×
- κατέκαιον1×
- κατεκάη·1×
- κατεκάη.¶1×
- κατεκάη,1×
- κατακαῦσαι1×
- κατακαύσουσιν1×
- κατακαίεται,1×
- κατακαίεται1×
- κατακαήσεται,1×
- κατακαυθήσεται,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 3:12
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”
This verse uses katakaiō to describe the irreversible destruction of chaff, contrasting it with the safe gathering of wheat.
-
Luke 3:17
His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Here the word emphasizes the thoroughness of divine judgment, leaving no residue of what is rejected.
-
Revelation of John 18:8
Therefore in one day her plagues will come: death, mourning, and famine; and she will be utterly burned with fire, for the Lord God who has judged her is strong.
The term highlights the complete and sudden consumption of Babylon, showing God’s decisive justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does katakaiō mean in the Bible?
How is katakaiō different from simple burning?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 3 verses
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into…
Matthew 13:30Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel…
Matthew 13:40As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.