2711. katapsuchó
Lexical Summary
katapsuchó: To cool down, to refresh

Original Word: καταψύχω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katapsuchó
Pronunciation: kat-ap-soo'-kho
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ap-soo'-kho)
KJV: cool
NASB: cool
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G5594 (ψύχω - grow cold)]

1. to cool down (off), i.e. refresh

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
cool, refresh

From kata and psucho; to cool down (off), i.e. Refresh -- cool.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK psucho

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kata and psuchó
Definition
to cool
NASB Translation
cool (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2711: καταψύχω

καταψύχω: 1 aorist κατεψυξα; to cool off (make) cool: Luke 16:24. (Genesis 18:4; Hippocrates, Aristotle, Theophrastus, Plutarch, others)

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope

Strong’s Greek 2711 expresses the act of bringing coolness, relief, or refreshment, literally by a touch of water or breeze and, by extension, any easing of distress.

Scriptural Occurrence

Only Luke 16:24 employs the verb: “So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this fire.’”. The single use heightens its dramatic force.

Parabolic Setting and Purpose

1. Spoken by Jesus in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
2. Immediate request: a momentary relief from blazing torment.
3. Abraham’s refusal (Luke 16:25-26) underscores the fixed, irreversible state after death and the impossibility of post-mortem mercy apart from prior repentance.

Contrast Between Earthly Luxury and Eternal Need

• The rich man, once surrounded by abundance, now pleads for a droplet.
• Lazarus, formerly dependent, rests in comfort (Luke 16:25).
• The verb highlights the reversal theme: what was denied the poor in life is denied the unmerciful rich in the hereafter.

Imagery of Cooling and Refreshment in the Canon

• Temporary relief: Proverbs 25:25; Isaiah 32:2.
• Divine provision: Psalm 23:2; Isaiah 35:6-7.
• Messianic fulfillment: John 4:14; John 7:37-38.
• Eschatological consummation: Revelation 7:16-17; Revelation 22:17.

Together these passages present God as the ultimate source of lasting refreshment, a reality the rich man forfeited.

Theological Observations

1. Reality of conscious post-mortem experience: pain, memory, and desire (Luke 16:23-24).
2. Finality of judgment: a “great chasm” fixed (Luke 16:26).
3. Mercy opportunities confined to earthly life (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 6:2).
4. Irony: the smallest act of kindness—“a cup of cold water” (Matthew 10:42)—gains eternal reward, yet the rich man withheld such mercy and now cannot obtain even a drop.

Historical Interpretation

• Early church writers (e.g., Tertullian, Chrysostom, Augustine) used Luke 16 to affirm the immediacy of post-death recompense and to admonish the wealthy toward almsgiving.
• Medieval commentators expanded the scene to teach on purgation versus eternal punishment, though the text itself offers no intermediate state.
• Reformation expositors (Luther, Calvin) emphasized the fixed gulf, reinforcing assurance for believers and urgency for evangelism.

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

1. Stewardship: present resources are entrusted for mercy ministry (1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 2:15-17).
2. Evangelism: vivid warning that neglecting salvation leads to unrelieved torment.
3. Pastoral care: physical acts of refreshment echo Christ’s invitation to living water and exemplify practical love.
4. Worship: anticipation of eternal refreshment fuels gratitude and perseverance amid present trials.

Key Related Passages for Study

Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41; John 4:7-14; John 19:28; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:17.

Summary

Strong’s 2711, though used only once, crystallizes the desperate cry for even minimal relief in the face of final judgment. It contrasts fleeting earthly comforts with the everlasting refreshment God freely gives to the repentant. The verb’s solitary appearance magnifies both the mercy believers are called to extend now and the sober certainty that, once eternity dawns, only God’s gracious provision in Christ can cool the thirst of the human soul.

Forms and Transliterations
καταψύξατε καταψυξη καταψύξῃ καταψύχη κάτιδε κατιδείν katapsuxe katapsuxē katapsyxe katapsyxē katapsýxei katapsýxēi
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 16:24 V-ASA-3S
GRK: ὕδατος καὶ καταψύξῃ τὴν γλῶσσάν
NAS: in water and cool off my tongue,
KJV: in water, and cool my tongue;
INT: in water and cool the tongue

Strong's Greek 2711
1 Occurrence


καταψύξῃ — 1 Occ.

2710
Top of Page
Top of Page