from κατά and κλάω; to break down, i.e. divide:--break.
Transliteration:katakláō
Pronunciation:kat-ak-lah'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G2622 κατακλάω (katakláō) is a compound word formed from the preposition κατά (katá), which often denotes intensity, completion, or a downward motion, and the verb κλάω (kláō) `{{G2806}}`, meaning "to break," particularly of bread. The combination yields a meaning of "to break down completely," "to break into pieces," or "to divide thoroughly." Unlike a simple breaking that might imply fracture or damage, κατακλάω carries the nuance of a purposeful and decisive breaking, often for the sake of distribution or consumption. The prefix κατά intensifies the action of breaking, suggesting that the whole is intentionally reduced to smaller, manageable, and shareable units.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
G2622 κατακλάω appears exclusively in the New Testament within the accounts of Jesus' miraculous feedings of the multitudes. Its two occurrences are:
* [[Mark 6:41]]: "And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided the two fish among them all." Here, Jesus "broke" (κατακλάω) the loaves, a deliberate act that preceded their distribution to the vast crowd. This breaking was not destructive but preparatory, making the single whole available to thousands.
* [[Mark 8:6]]: "And He directed the crowd to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the crowd." Again, in the feeding of the four thousand, Jesus "broke" (κατακλάω) the loaves. The action is consistently associated with His divine power to multiply and provide from limited resources.
In both contexts, the act of breaking is a pivotal moment in the miracle. It is a visible, tangible step that transforms scarcity into superabundance, demonstrating Jesus' authority over creation and His compassionate care for humanity. The breaking is intrinsically linked to the subsequent act of giving and distribution.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is κλάω (kláō) `{{G2806}}`, the root verb meaning "to break," especially bread. While κλάω is used broadly for breaking bread, including at the Last Supper (e.g., [[Matthew 26:26]], [[1 Corinthians 10:16]]), κατακλάω `{{G2622}}` specifically highlights the *thorough* or *complete* breaking for distribution, as seen in the feeding miracles. This distinction suggests a particular emphasis on the act of making a unified whole accessible to many.
Other related concepts include:
* δίδωμι (dídōmi) `{{G1325}}`: "to give," which invariably follows the breaking, emphasizing the act of distribution.
* μερίζω (merízō) `{{G3307}}`: "to divide, distribute," which describes the outcome of the breaking.
* εὐλογέω (eulogéō) `{{G2127}}`: "to bless," which precedes the breaking, underscoring the divine authorization and sanctification of the act.
The act of breaking bread is a recurring motif in the New Testament, signifying fellowship, provision, and ultimately, the body of Christ given for the world.
### Theological Significance
The specific use of G2622 κατακλάω in the feeding miracles carries profound theological weight:
1. **Divine Provision and Sufficiency:** The act of "breaking down" the loaves demonstrates God's ability, through Christ, to provide abundantly from meager resources. It underscores the sufficiency of divine provision to meet human needs, both physical and spiritual. The breaking makes the whole accessible and sufficient for all.
2. **Messianic Authority:** Jesus' ability to perform this miracle, including the purposeful breaking of the bread, points to His unique identity and authority as the Messiah. It echoes Old Testament themes of miraculous provision (e.g., manna in the wilderness, [[Exodus 16]]) and establishes Jesus as the ultimate provider.
3. **Preparation for Distribution:** The breaking is not an end in itself but a necessary step for sharing. Theologically, this prefigures the truth that Christ's fullness is made available to many through His self-giving. Just as the loaves were broken to feed the multitude, so Christ's body was "broken" (in a different sense, through suffering and death) to bring life to the world.
4. **Forecasting the Eucharist:** While κατακλάω is not used for the Last Supper, the repeated pattern of taking, blessing, breaking, and giving in the feeding miracles creates a significant typological link to the Eucharist. The purposeful breaking of bread by Jesus in these instances foreshadows the ultimate act of self-giving where His body is "broken" for the salvation of humanity, making His life and grace accessible to all who believe.
### Summary
The Greek word G2622 κατακλάω (katakláō) signifies a thorough and purposeful breaking, specifically of bread, for the purpose of distribution. Its limited but highly significant occurrences are exclusively within the Gospel accounts of Jesus' miraculous feedings of the multitudes. In these contexts, Jesus "breaks down" the loaves, an act that is a crucial step in His divine provision, transforming scarcity into abundance and making the food shareable for thousands. Theologically, κατακλάω highlights Christ's authority as the divine provider, His compassionate care for humanity, and the principle that His fullness is made accessible to many through a deliberate act of division and distribution. While distinct from the simple "breaking of bread" at the Last Supper, the use of κατακλάω in the feeding miracles serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate self-giving, where His body is "broken" so that all may partake of His life and grace.
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