κεφαλαιόω
I wound in the head
Definition
The verb κεφαλαιόω means 'to wound in the head' or 'to strike on the head.' It is a specific term for inflicting a serious, likely fatal, injury to the head. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes a violent act in a parable, emphasizing the severity of the assault. The word carries a sense of deliberate, targeted violence aimed at a vital part of the body, intending to incapacitate or kill.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Mark 12:4. It appears within the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, where the tenants beat and wound the second servant sent by the landowner 'in the head.' Its usage here vividly illustrates the escalating violence and contempt shown by the tenants toward the landowner's representatives, moving from mere beating (the first servant) to a more severe, targeted attack.
Etymology
Derived from the noun κεφαλή (kephalē, G2776), meaning 'head.' The verb is formed by adding a suffix, creating a specific action related to the head. It literally means 'to head-ize' or 'to do something to the head,' in this case, to wound it. Cognates include other words built on κεφαλή, emphasizing its connection to the physical head as a critical body part.
Semantic Range
While used only once, this word holds theological weight within its narrative context. In the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1-12), the escalating violence against the servants—culminating in a head wound—foreshadows and symbolizes the violent rejection and crucifixion of God's ultimate messenger, Jesus Christ. Understanding this specific Greek term enriches the reading by highlighting the intentional and severe nature of the rebellion against divine authority.
In the ancient world, a wound to the head was understood as particularly grave, often fatal due to limited medical treatment. Striking someone on the head was a sign of extreme disrespect and intent to kill, not just injure. This cultural understanding amplifies the parable's message: the tenants' actions are not mere scuffles but deliberate attempts to murder the landowner's claims upon them.
τυπτω (typtō, G5180) — a more general verb meaning 'to strike' or 'beat.' δερω (derō, G1194) — means 'to flay' or 'beat severely,' often with a whip or rod.
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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