καταναλίσκω

From the study of Hebrews 12:29

Range of meaning

From kata (down, thoroughly) and analiskō (to spend, use up, consume). In everyday Greek, analiskō could mean spending money or using up supplies. Used of fire, it means burning something until nothing is left. The kata- prefix makes it stronger: completely, entirely.

Against the English

'Consuming' (KJV, ESV, NASB, NIV, BSB, WEB) is correct in its older physical sense: 'consumed by fire'. NLT's 'devouring' is closer to the Hebrew image of fire that eats. But modern English uses 'consuming' mostly for attention or emotion ('an all-consuming passion', 'a consuming interest'). A reader can easily hear 'intensely absorbing' rather than 'burning up'.

How it drifted

The figurative English sense ('absorbing all one's attention') has largely pushed out the literal sense in everyday speech. Songs that ask God to 'consume' the singer reinforce it.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Deuteronomy 4:24 and 9:3 both have pyr katanaliskon for the Hebrew ʾēš ʾōkelâ, 'eating fire' (from ʾākal, 'to eat'). Zephaniah 1:18 LXX: 'in the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed (katanalōthēsetai)'. The simple verb appears in Luke 9:54 ('fire to come down from heaven and consume them') and Galatians 5:15 ('consumed by one another'). In the New Testament the compound appears only here.

From the study of Sirach 45:19

Range of meaning

To use up completely, to consume, to destroy entirely. It is used especially of fire.

Against the English

'Consume' (KJV, WEB) is accurate. The prefix κατα- strengthens the idea: consumed completely, with nothing left.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deuteronomy 4:24 LXX: 'the LORD your God is a consuming fire' (πῦρ καταναλίσκον). Hebrews 12:29 quotes it. Compare also the fire from the LORD that consumed Nadab and Abihu for offering 'strange fire' (Leviticus 10:2) and the 250 incense-bearers (Numbers 16:35).