Lexical Summary kataskaptó: To dig down, to demolish, to overthrow Original Word: κατασκάπτω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance undermine, tear down, ruin. From kata and skapto; to undermine, i.e. (by implication) destroy -- dig down, ruin. see GREEK kata see GREEK skapto NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and skaptó Definition to dig down NASB Translation torn down (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2679: κατασκάπτωκατασκάπτω: 1 aorist κατεσκαψα; perfect passive participle κατεσκαμμένος; to dig under, dig down, demolish, destroy: τί, Romans 11:3, from 1 Kings 19:10; passive Acts 15:16 (R G L), from Amos 9:11 ((but see καταστρέφω)). (Tragg., Thucydides, Xenophon, and following). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 2679 appears twice in the New Testament and always within Scripture-quotations from the Septuagint. Each occurrence portrays acts of violent demolition that God, in His sovereignty, either permits for judgment or reverses for renewal. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 15:16 – In the Jerusalem Council, James cites Amos 9:11: “After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it”. Here the term describes the “ruins” of David’s dynasty that God Himself pledges to raise up again, signaling the inclusion of the nations under Messiah’s reign. Old Testament and Second-Temple Background In the Septuagint the verb frequently marks divine judgment on idolatrous strongholds (e.g., Deuteronomy 12:3) or human rebellion against the true worship of Yahweh (1 Kings 19:10, 14). Conversely, prophetic contexts such as Amos 9:11–12 forecast a future reversal, when God will rebuild what sin has ruined. The New Testament quotations pick up both threads: human unfaithfulness that has “torn down” true worship and God’s restorative purpose that “rebuilds” what lies in ruins. Theological Significance Judgment and restoration: The verb highlights a two-stage pattern—demolition under judgment, reconstruction under grace. That pattern permeates redemptive history, from the exile and return of Israel to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Remnant theology: Romans 11:3 places the demolition of altars alongside the preservation of a faithful remnant, reminding readers that God’s purposes never collapse even when visible structures do. Mission to the nations: Acts 15:16 uses the imagery of rebuilding David’s fallen tent to legitimize the Gentile mission. What God rebuilds exceeds ethnic boundaries; the restored “tent” becomes a worldwide dwelling for all who believe. Christological Focus Jesus embodies the greater “tabernacle of David.” Though crucified—apparently razed—He is raised and enthroned, guaranteeing the promised restoration. The destruction-reconstruction motif therefore anticipates His death and resurrection (compare John 2:19–22). Ecclesiological and Ministry Applications 1. Church planting and revitalization: Ministry often begins amid “ruins.” The verb encourages workers that God specializes in rebuilding places and people the world has written off. Intertextual Connections for Study and Teaching • Amos 9:11–12 with Acts 15:16–17 – Restoration of David’s tent and inclusion of Gentiles Practical Exhortation Believers are called to cooperate with God’s rebuilding agenda: Summary Strong’s Greek 2679 serves as a vivid reminder that while human sin can dismantle what God ordained, divine grace ultimately reconstructs and surpasses what was lost. The same Lord who permits altars to be torn down also promises—and accomplishes—their glorious restoration through Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations κατασκαμμένον κατασκάπτει κατασκάπτειν κατασκαπτόμενον κατασκάπτονται κατασκαφήσεται κατασκάψατε κατασκάψει κατασκάψετε κατάσκαψον κατασκάψουσι κατασκάψω κατασκεψάμενοι κατασκεψαμένων κατασκέψασθαι κατασκέψασθε κατασκεψάσθωσαν κατασκέψεται κατεσκαμμένα κατεσκαμμέναι κατεσκαμμένον κατεσκάφη κατεσκάφησαν κατεσκαφήσεται κατεσκαψαν κατέσκαψαν κατέσκαψε κατέσκαψεν κατεσκέδασε κατεσκεψάμεθα κατεσκεψάμην κατεσκέψαντο κατεσκέψασθε kateskapsan katéskapsanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 15:16 V-RPM/P-ANPGRK: καὶ τὰ κατεσκαμμένα αὐτῆς ἀνοικοδομήσω INT: and the ruins of it I will build again Romans 11:3 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 2679 |
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