English · KJV
G163

αἰχμαλωτίζω

aichmalōtízō /aheekh-mal-o-tid'-zo/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom αἰχμάλωτος
Meaningto make captive
KJV usagelead away captive, bring into captivity.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of aichmalōtízō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word aichmalōtízō, represented by G163, means to make captive. Derived from αἰχμάλωτος, its definitions include "lead away captive" and "bring into captivity." It appears 4 times across 3 unique verses, illustrating different facets of captivity, from the physical and national to the internal and spiritual.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The usage of G163 spans both literal and figurative contexts. In a prophetic sense, it describes the physical downfall of a nation, where people "shall be led away captive into all nations" following a military defeat Luke 21:24. Figuratively, it depicts an internal, spiritual struggle, where a law within one's members is "bringing me into captivity to the law of sin" Romans 7:23. In contrast, it is also used to describe a deliberate act of spiritual warfare, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words illuminate the contexts in which captivity occurs:

  • G497 antistrateúomai (to attack, i.e. (by implication) destroy): This term for "warring against" is used to describe the internal conflict that leads to being taken captive by sin Romans 7:23.
  • G2507 kathairéō (to lower (or with violence) demolish): This word for "casting down" precedes the act of taking thoughts captive, highlighting the need to first destroy spiritual strongholds and imaginations 2 Corinthians 10:5.
  • G266 hamartía (a sin): This defines the enslaving power in the internal struggle. Paul describes being brought into captivity to the law of sin that resides in his members Romans 7:23.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G163 is centered on the theme of power and submission.

  • Prophetic Judgment: The term is used to describe the literal consequences of judgment on Jerusalem, whose people are physically led away captive, and the city itself is "trodden down" Luke 21:24.
  • The Enslavement of Sin: In Romans, the word powerfully illustrates the human condition under sin's influence. It portrays a conflict where the self is defeated and made a prisoner by an internal law of sin Romans 7:23.
  • Spiritual Authority: In contrast, 2 Corinthians presents the believer as the agent of capture. Through spiritual power, we are called to take thoughts captive, enforcing their submission and obedience to Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Summary

In summary, G163 moves beyond a simple definition of imprisonment. It illustrates a state of being overcome and controlled, whether by a conquering army, the power of sin, or the disciplined will of a believer. The word captures the tension between being a victim of captivity and an active agent who takes thoughts captive, framing a central conflict in the biblical narrative between sin and righteousness, defeat and spiritual victory.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 2×
  • Future Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future
Action yet to take place.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G497 ἀντιστρατεύομαι from ἀντί and στρατεύομαι; (figuratively) to attack, i.e. (by implication) destroy:--war against. G2507 καθαιρέω from κατά and αἱρέομαι (including its alternate); to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively):--cas G266 ἁμαρτία from ἁμαρτάνω; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke, Romans, and 2 Corinthians (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

1
Luke
1
Romans
1
2 Corinthians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.