κατεσθίω (katesthiō)
katesthiō
to devour
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katesthiō means to eat up or devour completely, emphasizing the thoroughness of consumption. It is a strengthened form of the basic word for eating, suggesting that nothing remains after the act. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from agricultural imagery to intense spiritual conflict, always carrying a sense of finality and total destruction.
Its range extends beyond literal hunger to metaphorical ruin. Jesus uses it to describe how religious leaders were accused of devouring widows’ houses, meaning they exploited and wasted their resources (Mark 12:40). In Revelation, it depicts dramatic scenes where fire consumes enemies or a dragon sweeps stars from the sky (Revelation 11:5; 12:4), illustrating absolute power and devastation.
Translators often render this word as "devour" or "consume," which captures its force better than simple terms like "eat." The prefix kata- intensifies the action, implying a downward or overwhelming motion. This lexical weight helps readers grasp the severity of the judgments and conflicts described in passages where the term appears.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katesthiō describes a thorough consumption, where nothing is left behind. In Scripture, this intensity highlights how quickly spiritual truths can be lost if we do not hold them firmly. Like seeds eaten by birds, the message of the kingdom requires attentive hearts to take root and grow.
It also warns against exploitation. Leaders who devour widows’ houses misuse their position for personal gain, a serious failure in Christian service. This word reminds us that God sees how we treat the vulnerable and judges hypocrisy harshly.
Finally, it points to divine justice. Fire from heaven devours enemies, showing that evil does not go unanswered. We can trust that God’s justice is complete and final, bringing hope to those who suffer injustice today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- devoured4×
- you devour1×
- will consume1×
- he may devour.1×
- having devoured1×
- do eat1×
- devours [you],1×
- devours1×
- devouring1×
- devour,1×
- devour1×
- I ate1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατέφαγεν4×
- κατέφαγον1×
- κατάφαγε1×
- κατεσθίουσιν1×
- κατεσθίοντες1×
- κατεσθίετε,1×
- κατεσθίετε1×
- κατεσθίει,1×
- κατεσθίει1×
- καταφάγῃ.1×
- καταφάγεταί1×
- καταφαγών1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 12:40
those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
This verse uses the word to describe how religious leaders exploited widows' property, showing its application to social injustice and hypocrisy.
-
Matthew 13:4
As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.
Here it illustrates how easily spiritual truth can be lost when the heart is hard, as birds devour the scattered seed.
-
Revelation of John 20:9
They went up over the width of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God and devoured them.
This occurrence shows God's final judgment, where fire devours those who oppose His people, emphasizing divine protection and justice.