from κατά and κλείω; to shut down (in a dungeon), i.e. incarcerate:--shut up.
Transliteration:katakleíō
Pronunciation:kat-ak-li'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G2623 κατακλείω (katakleíō) is a compound word formed from the preposition κατά (kata) (meaning "down," "against," or indicating completion/intensity) and the verb κλείω (kleiō) `{{G2808}}` (meaning "to shut" or "to close"). The combination therefore conveys the sense of "to shut down," "to shut completely," or "to close up thoroughly." In its specific New Testament usage, it carries the strong connotation of physical confinement, specifically "to shut up in a dungeon" or "to incarcerate." It implies a forceful and complete act of imprisonment, often by official authority, leading to a state of being "shut in" and unable to escape. The emphasis is on the decisive act of confinement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G2623 κατακλείω (katakleíō) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 26:10]]**: "And this I also did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were being put to death, I cast my vote against them."
In this powerful passage, Paul (formerly Saul) is recounting his past life as a persecutor of the early church before King Agrippa II. He explicitly states, "many of the saints I shut up in prisons" (πολλούς τε τῶν ἁγίων ἐγὼ ἐν φυλακαῖς κατέκλεισα). The use of κατέκλεισα (the aorist indicative active form of katakleíō) here is highly significant. It reveals Paul's direct and active involvement in the persecution, not merely as an observer but as an agent of the religious authorities. He was directly responsible for the incarceration of believers, an act of severe oppression. The phrase "having received authority from the chief priests" underscores the official and sanctioned nature of these imprisonments, highlighting the systematic persecution faced by the nascent Christian community. This single occurrence vividly portrays the hostile environment in which the early church operated and provides a stark contrast to Paul's later identity as an apostle of Christ, himself frequently imprisoned for the Gospel.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding G2623 κατακλείω (katakleíō) is enhanced by examining related terms and concepts:
* **κλείω (kleiō) `{{G2808}}`**: The root verb, meaning "to shut" or "to close." While kleiō can refer to simply closing a door or gate, the addition of κατά in katakleíō intensifies the action to a complete, often forceful, shutting *into* a confined space.
* **δεσμός (desmos) `{{G1199}}`**: Meaning "bond," "chain," or "imprisonment." This noun refers to the physical restraints or the state of being bound. Katakleíō describes the *act* of placing someone into that state of confinement.
* **φυλακή (phylakē) `{{G5438}}`**: Meaning "guard," "prison," or "watch." This noun refers to the place of imprisonment. Paul states he "shut up" saints *in* φυλακαῖς (prisons), showing katakleíō as the action performed *with respect to* the phylakē.
* **δεσμεύω (desmeuō) `{{G1196}}`**: Meaning "to bind" or "to tie up." This verb focuses on the act of tying or binding a person, whereas katakleíō emphasizes the act of enclosing them within a facility.
Katakleíō thus specifically denotes the act of *incarcerating* or *imprisoning* by shutting someone into a confined space, often with official authority. It is a decisive and complete act of deprivation of liberty.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of G2623 κατακλείω (katakleíō) in [[Acts 26:10]] carries profound theological weight, primarily due to the speaker and the context.
1. **Paul's Radical Transformation**: The word is spoken by Paul himself, admitting his active role in persecuting the church. It underscores the depth of his opposition to Christ's followers before his conversion. He was not merely a passive observer but an authoritative agent who physically "shut up" believers. This confession highlights the radical and divine nature of his conversion on the Damascus road, transforming him from a persecutor who imprisoned saints into an apostle who would himself endure numerous imprisonments for the sake of the Gospel.
2. **The Reality of Early Church Persecution**: The verb vividly portrays the severe and systematic persecution faced by the early Christian community. It was not just social ostracism but physical imprisonment, authorized by religious leaders. This act of "shutting up" believers was part of a broader effort to suppress the nascent Christian movement, revealing the intense spiritual conflict at play.
3. **Divine Grace and Forgiveness**: That Paul, who once "shut up" the saints, was not only forgiven but chosen by Christ to be a primary evangelist to the Gentiles, speaks volumes about the boundless grace of God. His past actions, including this act of incarceration, serve as a testament to the transformative power of God's mercy, demonstrating that even the most zealous opponents can become fervent proponents.
### Summary
G2623 κατακλείω (katakleíō) signifies the act of "shutting up" or "incarcerating" someone, implying a complete and often forceful confinement. Its unique occurrence in [[Acts 26:10]] is exceptionally significant, as it is Paul's own confession of his pre-conversion zeal in persecuting Christians. He explicitly states that he "shut up" many saints in prisons, highlighting his direct and authoritative role in their confinement. This single usage powerfully illustrates the severe persecution endured by the early church and, more profoundly, underscores the radical transformation of Paul, who moved from being an agent of oppression to an apostle of Christ, himself frequently enduring imprisonment for the very faith he once sought to suppress. The word thus serves as a stark reminder of humanity's capacity for opposition to God's work and the profound, redemptive power of divine grace.
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