ταρταρόω (tartaroō)
tartaroō
hell: Tartarus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb tartaroō means to cast down into Tartarus, a term borrowed from Greek mythology to describe the deepest abyss of the underworld. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in 2 Peter 2:4, where it describes God’s judgment on fallen angels who sinned by being cast into this place of darkness and confinement.
Its root is Tartaros, which ancient Greeks viewed as a gloomy prison for the wicked dead. The sources note that this concept parallels the Jewish idea of Gehenna, though tartaroō specifically emphasizes the act of imprisonment rather than just punishment. By using this rare word, Peter highlights the severity of divine justice against spiritual rebellion.
Because it occurs so infrequently, the word carries a unique weight in Scripture. It serves as a stark reminder that even powerful spiritual beings are subject to God’s authority and judgment. Translators typically render it "cast into hell," capturing the finality and depth of this divine action against those who defy heavenly order.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tartaroō appears only once in Scripture, found in 2 Peter 2:4. It describes God casting sinful angels into Tartarus, a place of darkness reserved for judgment. This rare verb reminds us that no spiritual power is beyond God’s reach or authority.
For believers facing uncertainty, this truth offers deep comfort. The same God who judges rebellion also protects His people from harm. When evil seems overwhelming, remember that ultimate justice belongs to Him alone. You do not need to fear forces you cannot control.
This passage invites trust in divine order. While we may not understand every detail of spiritual warfare, we can rest in the certainty that God sees all and acts with perfect fairness. His justice is sure, and His care for you is real.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to Tartarus1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ταρταρώσας1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 2:4
For if God didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness to be reserved for judgment;
This verse uniquely uses tartaroō to describe the divine act of confining rebellious angels in darkness until judgment.