κατατοξεύω (katatoxeuō)
katatoxeuō
to shoot down
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The rare verb katatoxeuō means to shoot down or strike dead with an arrow. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 12:20, where it describes the terrifying scene at Mount Sinai. The text uses this word to emphasize that the people were so afraid they could not bear the command given.
Its structure combines a prefix implying downward force with a root related to archery. This lexical choice highlights the lethal precision of divine judgment in that moment. Translators typically render it as "shot at" or "struck down," capturing the physical danger that silenced the crowd.
This single occurrence underscores the awe-inspiring holiness of God's presence in the Old Covenant narrative. The word serves as a stark reminder of the distance between humanity and the divine, contrasting sharply with the approachable grace offered through Christ in the surrounding context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katatoxeuō appears only once in the New Testament, nestled in Hebrews 12:20. It describes a scene at Mount Sinai where the people were so overwhelmed by God’s presence that they could not bear the command given. The text uses this rare verb to highlight the lethal precision of divine judgment in that moment, emphasizing the terrifying distance between humanity and the divine.
This stark contrast serves as a powerful reminder of the grace offered through Christ. While the Old Covenant narrative underscores awe-inspiring holiness and fear, the surrounding context invites us to approach God with confidence. We are not called to live in terror but to rest in the accessible mercy found in Jesus.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will be shot down1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατατοξευθήσεται,1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 12:20
for they could not stand that which was commanded, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned”.
This occurrence matters because it uses katatoxeuō to describe the lethal consequence of approaching God’s holy presence without mediation, highlighting the fear that silenced the crowd.