δαμάζω

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word damázō, represented by G1150, means to tame. It appears 4 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. This term is used to describe the act of subduing or bringing a wild, powerful, or unruly force under control.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1150 is used to create a stark contrast between what humanity can and cannot control. While mankind is capable of taming the animal kingdom ("every kind of beasts... is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind" James 3:7), the human tongue proves to be an exception. It is described as something that "no man can tame" James 3:8. The word is also used to describe the failure of physical force to subdue a man possessed by an unclean spirit, who had broken fetters and chains; the account states that "neither could any man tame him" Mark 5:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words highlight the context of control and untamed power:

• G1100 glōssa (the tongue; by implication, a language): This is the primary subject that is described as being impossible for man to tame, an "unruly evil" James 3:8.
• G183 akatáschetos (unrestrainable): This adjective is used to characterize the tongue, directly linking its nature to the impossibility of taming it James 3:8.
• G1210 déō (to bind): This refers to the physical attempt to restrain the man who could not be tamed. He had been "often bound with fetters and chains" Mark 5:4, but this physical action failed where taming was not possible.
• G254 hálysis (a fetter or manacle) and G3976 pédē (a shackle for the feet): These are the physical restraints that were "plucked asunder" and "broken in pieces" by the man who could not be tamed Mark 5:4.

Theological Significance

The use of G1150 carries significant thematic weight, illustrating key spiritual principles.

• The Limits of Human Ability: The contrast in James 3:7-8 establishes a clear boundary on human power. While man can exercise dominion over the natural world, he is shown to be incapable of subduing the evil within his own nature, specifically the tongue.
• The Power of Uncontrolled Forces: Both the tongue and the possessed man represent forces that are beyond simple restraint. The man in Mark 5:4 demonstrates a supernatural strength that breaks chains G254, and the tongue is called an "unruly G183 evil" that is deadly.
• Physical vs. True Subjugation: The failure to bind G1210 the man with fetters G3976 and chains demonstrates that physical force is insufficient to control a spiritual problem. The inability to tame him points to a need for a higher power to achieve true subjugation.

Summary

In summary, G1150 damázō is a specific and powerful term that explores the concept of control. Through its limited but potent usage, it illustrates a profound theological point: there are forces, both internal like the human tongue and external like demonic spirits, that are utterly beyond the power of mankind to tame. This highlights human weakness and the need for divine intervention to subdue that which is truly wild and unruly.