κατακρημνίζω (katakrēmnizō)
katakrēmnizō
to cast down
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katakrēmnizō means to throw someone down from a height or cast them headlong over a cliff. Its meaning is drawn directly from its root, klēmnēs, which refers to a precipice or steep rock face. This creates a vivid image of violent removal from safety into a fatal drop.
While the word appears only once in the New Testament, its intensity is clear in Luke 4:29. There, the people of Nazareth attempt to use it against Jesus, driving Him out of town to the brow of the hill where they plan to throw Him down. The action reflects a desire for immediate, brutal execution rather than a formal trial.
Old Testament translations also employ this term for similar acts of violence, such as when King Amaziah casts his enemies off the cliff (2 Chronicles 25:12). In every instance, the word signifies a sudden, forceful casting down from a high place into destruction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word κατακρημνίζω paints a stark picture of sudden, violent removal from safety. It describes being cast headlong over a cliff, a fate that leaves no room for appeal or second chances. In Luke 4:29, the people of Nazareth sought to use this method against Jesus, driving Him out to the brow of the hill where they planned to throw Him off.
For your faith, this word highlights the intensity of rejection that Jesus faced. It shows that following truth often invites fierce opposition, not polite disagreement. Yet, even in the face of such brutal intent, Jesus remained in control, walking through their midst unharmed. This offers a quiet assurance that no plot against God’s purposes can succeed.
When you feel pushed to the edge by hostility or misunderstanding, remember that your safety rests in God’s hands, not in the whims of those who wish you harm. The same power that protected Jesus from their violence is available to sustain you through every trial.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to throw over1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατακρημνίσαι1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 4:29
They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff.
This verse captures the word’s raw intensity, showing how a mob sought to execute Jesus by casting Him headlong from a cliff rather than seeking a legal trial.