κατακλύζω (katakluzō)
katakluzō
to flood
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katakluzō means to flood or inundate with water. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 3:6, where it describes the ancient world being overwhelmed by a deluge. The word carries a sense of total submersion, capturing the sheer force and coverage of the waters.
Its structure combines a prefix indicating downward movement or intensity with a root related to washing or flowing. In the Septuagint, this Greek term often translates the Hebrew verb shataf, which is used in passages like Psalm 78:20 to describe God sending water upon enemies. This background highlights its use for divine judgment through natural forces.
Translators typically render it as "destroyed" or "overwhelmed" in 2 Peter, focusing on the result rather than just the action. The word emphasizes the completeness of the event, leaving no part of the subject untouched by the rising waters.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katakluzō describes a total inundation, where rising waters completely cover and overwhelm what lies beneath. In 2 Peter 3:6, it paints a vivid picture of the ancient world being submerged by a deluge. This image reminds us that God’s power extends over all creation, capable of bringing judgment with absolute finality.
For your faith, this word offers a sobering perspective on history and divine sovereignty. It shows that no human system is immune to God’s will. Yet, this overwhelming power is not arbitrary; it serves to cleanse and reset the stage for what comes next. Trusting in a God who holds such authority brings peace, knowing that He remains in control even when circumstances feel chaotic.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having been deluged1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατακλυσθεὶς1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 3:6
by which means the world that existed then, being overflowed with water, perished.
This verse uses katakluzō to describe the ancient world being completely submerged by water, highlighting the totality of the judgment that led to its destruction.