"to drink, swallow, gulp down, Mt. 23:24; to swallow up, absorb, Rev. 12:16; 2 Cor. 5:4; to engulf, submerge, overwhelm, Heb. 11:29; to swallow greedily, devour, 1 Pet. 5:8; to destroy, annihilate, 1 Cor. 15:54; 2 Cor. 2:7*"
Definition and meaning
to drink, swallow, gulp down, Mt. 23:24; to swallow up, absorb, Rev. 12:16; 2 Cor. 5:4; to engulf, submerge, overwhelm, Heb. 11:29; to swallow greedily, devour, 1 Pet. 5:8; to destroy, annihilate, 1 Cor. 15:54; 2 Cor. 2:7*
In the original Greek the word is written: καταπίνω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of katapino (G2666) across the King James Bible.
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
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Common questions
Strong's G2666 (katapino) is a Greek word that means: to drink, swallow, gulp down, Mt. 23:24; to swallow up, absorb, Rev. 12:16; 2 Cor. 5:4; to engulf, submerge, overwhelm, Heb. 11:29; to swallow greedily, devour, 1 Pet. 5:8; to destroy, annihilate, 1 C... It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word katapino (G2666) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2666 is katapino, a Greek word defined as: to drink, swallow, gulp down, Mt. 23:24; to swallow up, absorb, Rev. 12:16; 2 Cor. 5:4; to engulf, submerge, overwhelm, Heb. 11:29; to swallow greedil. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
katapino is a Greek word found in the New Testament.