κατακλείω

I shut up, confine

Definition

The verb κατακλείω means to shut up, confine, or lock away. In its two New Testament occurrences, it carries the sense of forcible confinement, often with legal or punitive authority. In Luke 3:20, Herod 'shut up' John the Baptist in prison, indicating an act of incarceration by a ruler. In Acts 26:10, Paul describes how he 'locked up' many saints in prisons during his persecution of the church, emphasizing the use of official power to confine believers. The prefix κατά intensifies the action, suggesting a complete or decisive shutting.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in historical narrative contexts describing imprisonment. In Luke 3:20, it describes Herod's imprisonment of John the Baptist. In Acts 26:10, Paul uses it in his defense before King Agrippa to recount his own prior actions of imprisoning Christians. In both cases, the word is used by an authority figure (Herod, Paul acting with Sanhedrin authority) to describe the act of confining someone in a prison setting.

Etymology

From the preposition κατά (kata), meaning 'down' or 'against,' which here intensifies the action, combined with the root verb κλείω (kleiō), meaning 'to shut' or 'to close.' The compound thus means 'to shut down' or 'to shut up tightly.' It is related to other words like κλείς (kleis, G2807, 'a key') and ἀποκλείω (apokleiō, G608, 'to shut out').

Semantic Range

While not a central theological term, κατακλείω appears in significant narratives about persecution and opposition to God's messengers. Its use highlights the conflict between earthly political/religious power and God's prophetic word, as seen in the imprisonments of John the Baptist and the early Christians. Understanding this forceful term enriches the reading of these passages by emphasizing the severity and official nature of the opposition faced by God's people.

In the Greco-Roman world, imprisonment was often a prelude to trial or execution, not primarily a long-term punishment. To 'shut up' someone was an act of state or religious authority, removing their freedom and public voice. This differs from some modern contexts where imprisonment is a standard penal sentence. The word conveys a sense of being decisively removed from society and silenced.

φυλακίζω (phylakizō, G5439) — to imprison; a more general term for putting in prison. δέω (deō, G1210) — to bind; a broader term for tying or imprisoning, often used metaphorically. κλείω (kleiō, G2808) — to shut; the root verb, without the intensive force of confinement.

Word Details

Scripture References