2871. kopé

Lexical Summary

kopé: Cutting, strike, blow

Original Word: κοπή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: kopé
Pronunciation: ko-PAY
Phonetic Spelling: (kop-ay')
KJV: slaughter
NASB: slaughter
Word Origin: [from G2875 (κόπτω - mourn)]

1. cutting, i.e. carnage

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

slaughter.

From kopto; cutting, i.e. Carnage -- slaughter.

see GREEK kopto

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from koptó
Definition
a cutting in pieces, slaughter
NASB Translation
slaughter (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2871: κοπή

κοπή, κοπῆς, ἡ (κόπτω);

1. properly, several times in Greek writings the act of cutting, a cut.

2. in Biblical Greek a cutting in pieces, slaughter: Hebrews 7:1; Genesis 14:17; Deuteronomy 28:25; Joshua 10:20; Judith 15:7.

Topical Lexicon

Scope of the Word

Strong’s 2871 paints the picture of a swift, thorough “cutting-down,” the utter rout that follows a military strike. Its single New Testament occurrence (Hebrews 7:1) reaches back to Genesis 14, where Abram’s band overwhelms the coalition led by Chedorlaomer. The Spirit-directed author of Hebrews employs the vivid noun to highlight both the completeness of Abram’s victory and the greatness of the priest-king who welcomes him home.

Historical Background: Abram’s Night Assault

Genesis 14:13-17 recounts Abram’s daring pursuit of the eastern kings who had plundered Sodom and carried off Lot. Dividing his trained men under cover of night, Abram drives the invaders north of Damascus, then returns “from the slaughter of the kings” (Hebrews 7:1). This decisive action:

• Demonstrates covenant loyalty, as Abram risks everything to rescue his relative (Genesis 14:14).
• Reveals God’s providence, for Melchizedek testifies, “Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand” (Genesis 14:20).
• Establishes Abram’s public reputation as a deliverer, foreshadowing the divine protection that will mark the nation springing from him.

Theological Significance in Hebrews 7

Hebrews 7 employs the defeat to introduce Melchizedek’s superior priesthood:

1. Superiority of Blessing — The lesser (Abram) is blessed by the greater (Melchizedek) after the victory (Hebrews 7:6-7).
2. Foreshadowing of Christ — Psalm 110:4 identifies Messiah as “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek,” linking the ancient slaughter to the eternal reign of Jesus.
3. Picture of Rest — Abram’s enemies are cut down; Jesus sits enthroned until every enemy is made His footstool (Psalm 110:1). The rout anticipates the ultimate conquest secured at the cross (Colossians 2:15).

Biblical Pattern of Deliverance through Decisive Defeat

While the 2871 noun itself does not reappear, Scripture repeatedly presents God achieving salvation by overwhelming foes:

• Joshua 10:10-11 — The LORD confounds the Amorites, and hailstones complete the defeat.
• Judges 7:19-22 — Gideon’s three hundred rout Midian’s vast host.
• 1 Samuel 17:46-47 — David foresees the “assembly of the LORD” learning that victory “is the LORD’s.”
• Isaiah 53:12 — The Servant “poured out His life unto death” and thereby “bore the sin of many,” a paradoxical slaughter that grants peace to His people (cf. Revelation 5:9-10).

Each instance underscores that decisive victory belongs to God, whether by sword, hail, or a cross.

Typology: From Shadow to Substance

Abram’s battlefield is a shadow; the cross is the substance. Both scenes feature:

• A representative champion acting for the helpless.
• Complete defeat of the oppressing powers.
• A priest-king (Melchizedek/Jesus) affirming and distributing blessing.

The slaughter of Genesis 14 becomes a lens through which believers grasp the magnitude of Christ’s triumph over sin, death, and the devil (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Practical and Ministry Application

1. Confidence in Spiritual Warfare — Just as Abram advanced under God’s favor, so Christians stand “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
2. Call to Covenant Loyalty — Abram’s pursuit of Lot models sacrificial commitment to brothers and sisters in distress (Galatians 6:2).
3. Worshipful Response — The patriarch gives Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils (Hebrews 7:2). Victory that comes from God rightly ends in grateful generosity.
4. Christ-Centered Preaching — Hebrews leverages one historical noun to exalt Jesus’ priesthood; faithful exposition today should likewise move from Old-Testament events to the finished work of Christ.

Related Scriptures for Study

Genesis 14:13-24; Psalm 110; Isaiah 53:7-12; Hebrews 2:14-17; Hebrews 7:1-10; Colossians 2:13-15; Romans 8:36-37; Revelation 19:11-16.

Questions for Reflection

• How does Abram’s “slaughter of the kings” encourage believers facing formidable opposition?
• In what ways does Melchizedek’s blessing deepen our appreciation of Christ’s mediating work?
• How might a congregation today mirror Abram’s immediate generosity after victory?

Summary

Strong’s 2871 captures a moment of decisive, God-granted triumph that reverberates through redemptive history. From Abram’s night raid to Christ’s resurrection glory, the word testifies that the LORD alone secures victory—and He does so to bless His covenant people through an eternal Priest-King.

Forms and Transliterations

κοπήν κοπης κοπής κοπῆς kopes kopês kopēs kopē̂s

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 7:1 N-GFS
GRK: ἀπὸ τῆς κοπῆς τῶν βασιλέων
NAS: as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings
KJV: from the slaughter of the kings,
INT: from the slaughter of the kings

Strong's Greek 2871
1 Occurrence

κοπῆς — 1 Occ.