κατακόπτω (katakoptō)
katakoptō
to cut
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb katakoptō means to cut up or mangle, often implying a violent dismemberment. It combines the intensifying prefix kata- with koptō, which generally refers to striking or cutting. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Mark 5:5, where it describes the self-harming behavior of the Gerasene demoniac.
The sources note that the Septuagint uses this term for severe physical destruction, such as cutting up idols or enemies (Isaiah 27:9; Jeremiah 21:7). This background highlights the word’s harshness. When Mark writes that the man cut himself with stones, he is using a term that suggests brutal, fragmented injury rather than simple scratching.
Translators typically render this as "cut himself" or "lacerated himself." The choice reflects the graphic nature of the act. The word underscores the depth of the man’s torment, showing how the demonic presence drove him to physically destroy his own body in a futile attempt to find relief.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word κατακόπτω appears only once in the New Testament, found in Mark 5:5. It describes a man tormented by an unclean spirit who cut himself with stones. This is not a gentle act but a violent mangle of his own body. The language used here is harsh and graphic, pointing to deep anguish and loss of control.
Seeing this extreme suffering helps us understand the weight of spiritual oppression. It shows how darkness can distort a person’s mind and drive them to self-destruction. Yet, even in this broken state, the man was waiting for Jesus. His physical pain did not separate him from God’s reach.
This passage reminds us that no situation is beyond Christ’s care. He brings peace where there is chaos and wholeness where there is damage. We can trust that He sees our deepest struggles and offers true freedom through His presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- cutting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατακόπτων1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 5:5
Always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones.
The verb κατακόπτω here describes violent self-mutilation with stones, highlighting the severity of the demoniac’s torment and the depth of his despair.