καταψύχω
I cool, refresh
Definition
The verb καταψύχω means 'to cool' or 'to refresh,' specifically by cooling something down. In its single biblical occurrence, it carries a vivid, literal sense of cooling with water, but it also implies a broader concept of providing relief from distress. The word is used in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:24), where the rich man in Hades begs Abraham to send Lazarus to 'cool' his tongue with water. This paints a powerful picture of seeking relief from torment.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 16:24. It appears in a narrative context within a parable, describing a desperate, physical request for relief from suffering. The usage is literal and concrete, serving to heighten the imagery of the rich man's torment in the afterlife.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition κατά (kata), meaning 'down' or 'against,' combined with the verb ψύχω (psychō), meaning 'to cool' or 'to blow' (as in to blow cool air). The compound form intensifies the sense of cooling something down thoroughly. It is related to the noun ψυχή (psychē, G5590), meaning 'soul' or 'life,' originally connected to the concept of breath.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, καταψύχω is theologically significant as it illustrates the irreversible consequences of one's earthly life and the finality of divine judgment in Jesus' teaching. The rich man's plea for a mere 'cooling' of his tongue underscores the great chasm and the complete absence of relief for those separated from God. Understanding this specific Greek term enriches the reading by highlighting the stark, physical reality of the torment described, moving it beyond mere metaphor.
In the ancient Mediterranean world, the sensation of extreme heat and thirst was a common and feared aspect of suffering. The plea for a drop of water to cool the tongue would have been a universally understood image of the most basic, yet utterly denied, form of relief. This resonates with other biblical imagery where water represents life, blessing, and salvation (e.g., Psalm 42:1, John 4:14).
ἀναψύχω (anapsychō, G404) — to refresh or cool again, often in a restorative sense (e.g., 2 Timothy 1:16). ψύχω (psychō, G5592) — the root verb meaning simply to cool or grow cold (used literally, as in Matthew 24:12).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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