Lexical Summary katatoxeuó: To shoot arrows, to pierce with arrows Original Word: κατατοξεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance thrust through. From kata and a derivative of toxon; to shoot down with an arrow or other missile -- thrust through. see GREEK kata see GREEK toxon NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and toxeuó (to shoot with a bow); from toxon Definition to strike down with an arrow. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2700: κατατοξεύωκατατοξεύω: 1 future passive κατατοξευθήσομαι; to shoot down or thrust through with an arrow: τινα βολίδι, Hebrews 12:20 Rec. from Exodus 19:13. (Numbers 24:8; Psalm 10:2 Topical Lexicon Overview Katatoxeúō expresses the action of shooting an opponent “down” with arrows from a superior position. Although absent from the Greek New Testament, it colors many Septuagint passages that speak of ambush, persecution, or divine judgment. The imagery is vivid: a concealed archer raining shafts on a target who seems powerless to respond. This supplies a background for the wider biblical motif of arrows—whether in the hands of wicked men, hostile nations, or God Himself. Occurrences in the Septuagint The verb and its cognates surface chiefly in Psalms and historical narratives: In each instance κατατοξεύω underscores either ruthless hostility or unanswerable power. The term is also found in Proverbs 26:18; Jeremiah 9:3; Lamentations 3:12-13; and Habakkuk 3:11. Old Testament Themes Embodied in the Verb 1. Human Persecution The Psalms often portray the righteous as targets: “They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows” (Psalm 64:3-4). Katatoxeúō captures the stealth, precision, and malice of such attacks, reminding readers that persecution is frequently calculated rather than impulsive. 2. Divine Judgment God Himself is sometimes the Archer: “He has prepared His deadly weapons; He ordains His arrows with fire” (Psalm 7:13). When the LORD fires, no shield suffices; the verb thereby magnifies His sovereignty and justice. 3. National Warfare Prophets employ arrow-language for invading armies. Jeremiah 50:14 commands nations to “shoot at her, spare no arrows” against Babylon. The Septuagint renders the imperative with the same root, showing God directing international events to fulfill His purposes. 4. Personal Lament Lamentations 3:12-13 depicts the suffering servant: “He bent His bow and set me as the target for His arrow.” The choice of κατατοξεύω intensifies the sense that the afflicted feel pinned, helpless beneath a relentless barrage. Historical Background Classical Greek writers used the verb of archers posted on high walls or cliffs picking off troops below. The Septuagint translators borrow that military term to convey both literal battle scenes and the moral/spiritual high ground from which oppressors strike at the vulnerable. Connection with New Testament Teaching Although κατατοξεύω itself never appears in the New Testament, its imagery permeates apostolic instruction: The Septuagint’s use of κατατοξεύω thus provides a conceptual bridge, enriching the believer’s understanding of spiritual warfare. Christological Implications Messianic Psalms that feature arrow imagery (Psalm 22; Psalm 38) find ultimate fulfillment at the cross. Though men “shot” their accusations and mockery at Jesus, He absorbed the storm and triumphed, thereby neutralizing every arrow sin and Satan could hurl (Colossians 2:15). Practical Ministry Application • Intercession for the Persecuted Modern believers under hostile regimes often face hidden, calculated opposition. Praying Psalm 64 with the verb’s intensity in view encourages urgent, specific intercession. • Spiritual Warfare Teaching Katatoxeúō reinforces the need for the “shield of faith” and the protection of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14-16). Ministries can illustrate unseen attacks by referencing the ancient archer firing from cover. • Counseling the Wounded Many suffer verbal or relational “arrows.” The verb’s inclusion in laments like Lamentations 3 shows that Scripture validates such pain and points sufferers toward God as refuge. Homiletical Insights Preachers may contrast two archers: humanity shooting upward in rebellion (Genesis 11; Acts 7:51) versus God shooting downward in righteous judgment (Psalm 7:13), culminating in Christ who stands between, absorbing the arrows and granting peace. Summary Katatoxeúō, though absent from the New Testament text, enriches biblical theology by portraying relentless hostility and sovereign justice through the simple, potent picture of arrows raining from above. Recognizing its appearances in the Septuagint equips readers, teachers, and pastors to trace a consistent thread from ancient battlefields to modern spiritual conflicts, always pointing to the One who is both the ultimate Target and the victorious Archer. Forms and Transliterations κατατοξευθήσεται κατατοξεύσαι κατατοξεύσει κατατοξεύσουσινLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance κατέστρεψεν — 2 Occ.καταστρηνιάσωσιν — 1 Occ. καταστροφῇ — 2 Occ. κατεστρώθησαν — 1 Occ. κατασύρῃ — 1 Occ. κατασφάξατε — 1 Occ. κατεσφραγισμένον — 1 Occ. κατασχέσει — 1 Occ. κατάσχεσιν — 1 Occ. καταθέσθαι — 2 Occ. κατέδραμεν — 1 Occ. καταφερόμενος — 1 Occ. καταφέροντες — 1 Occ. κατήνεγκα — 1 Occ. κατενεχθεὶς — 1 Occ. καταφυγόντες — 1 Occ. κατέφυγον — 1 Occ. κατεφθαρμένοι — 1 Occ. καταφιλοῦσά — 1 Occ. κατεφίλησεν — 3 Occ. |
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