Greek word · G2690

καταστρέφω

katastrephō

to overturn

To turn over or upset, and from that to overthrow, ruin or destroy (cities, kingdoms). The physical sense, 'tip over,' is primary here.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κατα-στρέφω

[in LXX for הָפַךְ, etc., Genesis 19:21, Jeremiah 20:16, al. ;]

1. to turn down, turn over; as, the soil.

2. to overturn, overthrow: Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15; pass. pf. ptcp., Acts 15:16 (LXX).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 21:12

Range of meaning

To turn over or upset, and from that to overthrow, ruin or destroy (cities, kingdoms). The physical sense, 'tip over,' is primary here.

Against the English

'Overturned' (modern versions) and 'overthrew' (KJV, WEB) both work. The KJV's 'overthrew' keeps more of the verb's echo of overthrowing cities and powers.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament it is used for the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:21, 25) and in Haggai 2:22, 'I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms.' The verb appears in the New Testament only here and in Mark 11:15.

From the study of Mark 11:15

Range of meaning

To turn over or upside down. Also to overthrow or destroy (cities, kingdoms), or to bring something to an end.

Against the English

'Overturned' (BSB, ESV, WEB) and 'overthrew' (KJV, YLT). The KJV's 'overthrew' keeps the secondary sense of toppling a power.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament uses it for God's overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:25, 29). Haggai 2:22 LXX reads: 'I will overturn (katastrepsō) the thrones of kingdoms… I will overturn chariots.' This is part of a vision of God shaking the nations, linked with the temple's future glory (Hag 2:6–9).

Similar words

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 21:12 κατέστρεψεν He overturned

    Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

    Here: Literally 'turned upside down.' In the Greek Old Testament this verb describes God overthrowing Sodom (Gen 19:25) and overturning the thrones of kingdoms (Hag 2:22), so it can carry a note of judgment.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 11:15 κατέστρεψεν He overturned

    When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

    Here: To turn upside down or overthrow. In the Greek Old Testament the same verb is used for God overthrowing Sodom and overturning the thrones of kingdoms. Mark holds it back to the very end of the sentence for emphasis.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.