"to smite, cut; to cut off or down, Mt. 21:8; Mk. 11:8; mid. to beat one’s self in mourning, lament, bewail, Mt. 11:17; 24:30; Lk. 8:52; 23:27; Rev. 1:7; 18:9*"
Definition and meaning
to smite, cut; to cut off or down, Mt. 21:8; Mk. 11:8; mid. to beat one’s self in mourning, lament, bewail, Mt. 11:17; 24:30; Lk. 8:52; 23:27; Rev. 1:7; 18:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: κόπτω
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 kopto (G2875) across the King James Bible.
And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
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Common questions
Strong's G2875 (kopto) is a Greek word that means: to smite, cut; to cut off or down, Mt. 21:8; Mk. 11:8; mid. to beat one’s self in mourning, lament, bewail, Mt. 11:17; 24:30; Lk. 8:52; 23:27; Rev. 1:7; 18:9* It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word kopto (G2875) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2875 is kopto, a Greek word defined as: to smite, cut; to cut off or down, Mt. 21:8; Mk. 11:8; mid. to beat one’s self in mourning, lament, bewail, Mt. 11:17; 24:30; Lk. 8:52; 23:27; Rev. 1:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kopto is a Greek word found in the New Testament.