καταψύχω (katapsuchō)
katapsuchō
to cool
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katapsuchō means to cool or refresh, specifically by lowering temperature. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 16:24, where the rich man in Hades asks Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue.
Its root combines kata ("down") with psuchō ("to cool"), creating a vivid image of physical relief from heat. The word is rare in biblical Greek but appears in the Septuagint, such as Genesis 18:4, where Abraham offers guests shade to cool themselves. This usage highlights its concrete, bodily sense rather than abstract spiritual comfort.
Translators typically render it "cool" or "refresh," capturing the immediate physical need of the character. The single occurrence underscores how specific vocabulary can convey intense, literal suffering in a narrative context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katapsuchō appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 16:24. It describes a desperate plea for physical relief from intense heat. The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. This single occurrence highlights the raw reality of suffering and the human desire for comfort when all else fails.
While this moment is one of judgment, it reminds us that our faith does not ignore physical pain or hardship. God sees our struggles, whether they are spiritual or bodily. We can bring our honest needs to Him, knowing He understands both our joy and our distress. This word invites us to trust in His care, even when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may cool1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καταψύξῃ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 16:24
He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’
This verse uses the word to describe a specific physical need for relief from heat, grounding the parable in tangible human suffering.