καταπίνω (katapinō)
katapinō
to swallow
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katapinō describes the physical act of swallowing something down completely, often with a sense of urgency or force. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from Jesus’ criticism of religious leaders who strain out small insects but swallow whole camels (Matthew 23:24) to the image of the earth helping a woman by swallowing a river flood (Revelation 12:16). The prefix kata intensifies the root pinō, suggesting not just taking in food or drink, but consuming it thoroughly.
Beyond literal ingestion, the word carries a metaphorical weight of overwhelming consumption or destruction. Peter uses it to describe the devil prowling like a lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), while Paul employs it to speak of death being swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54). In these instances, katapinō conveys an irreversible process where one thing is entirely absorbed or eliminated by another, highlighting the finality of either spiritual danger or divine triumph.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katapinō brings to mind the simple, physical act of swallowing something down completely. In the New Testament, it is used in striking ways that move from literal ingestion to profound spiritual truths. Jesus uses this vivid imagery when He criticizes religious leaders for focusing on tiny details while ignoring major moral failures, comparing their neglect to swallowing a whole camel after straining out a gnat. This contrast highlights how easily we can miss the weightier matters of faith by obsessing over minor rules.
Yet there is deep comfort in this word’s other uses. Paul writes that our mortal bodies will be swallowed up by life, suggesting that our current struggles and weaknesses are not the final word. Similarly, Peter warns us to stay alert because the devil seeks to devour those who are vulnerable, but he also assures us that God’s power is greater. When we feel overwhelmed by sorrow or fear, we can trust that life itself is stronger than death, and comfort is available for those who are burdened.
This word reminds us that what seems like a final end—whether it is death, grief, or spiritual attack—is not the last chapter. God’s life swallows up our mortality, just as the earth helped the woman in Revelation by swallowing the flood meant to destroy her. We are invited to rest in the truth that no force of darkness can ultimately consume those who belong to Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were swallowed up.1×
- to devour;1×
- swallowing!1×
- swallowed up1×
- may be swallowed up1×
- may be overwhelmed1×
- Has been swallowed up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καταποθῇ2×
- κατέπιεν1×
- κατεπόθησαν.¶1×
- κατεπόθη1×
- καταπίνοντες.¶1×
- καταπιεῖν·1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 23:24
You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!
Jesus uses this word to sharply contrast trivial legalism with serious moral failure, illustrating how religious leaders ignore major sins while obsessing over minor details.
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I Corinthians 15:54
But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Paul employs this term to describe the irreversible triumph of resurrection life over death, showing that mortality is completely absorbed by eternal life.
-
II Corinthians 2:7
so that, on the contrary, you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.
Here the word warns against excessive sorrow overwhelming a person, urging the community to offer forgiveness and comfort to prevent such spiritual destruction.
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I Peter 5:8
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Peter uses this verb to depict the devil’s intent to completely consume believers, emphasizing the need for sober vigilance against spiritual attack.