κατακλείω

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word katakleíō, represented by G2623, means to shut up or incarcerate. It is a compound word derived from κατά and κλείω, literally meaning to shut down, as in a dungeon. It appears 3 times across 2 unique verses, consistently referring to the act of imprisonment as a tool of authority.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2623 is used to describe specific acts of persecution. In Luke's Gospel, it is recorded that Herod "added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison" Luke 3:20, demonstrating the use of incarceration by a secular ruler to silence a prophet. Similarly, the Apostle Paul recounts his past actions against the church, stating that he shut up many of the saints in prison with authority from the chief priests Acts 26:10, linking the act to official religious opposition.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller context for the actions associated with G2623:

• G5438 phylakḗ (a guarding or... prison): This is the word for the prison itself, the location where individuals are shut up. It appears alongside G2623 in both Luke 3:20 and Acts 26:10. In other contexts, it can refer to a "cage" or "hold" Revelation 18:2, emphasizing confinement.
• G337 anairéō (to take away violently, i.e. abolish, murder): This word describes what can follow imprisonment. Paul notes that after he shut up the saints, he gave his vote when they were put to death Acts 26:10, connecting incarceration directly to martyrdom.
• G2702 kataphérō (to bear down... specially, to cast a vote): In Acts 26:10, Paul uses this word to describe how he "gave" his voice against the saints he had imprisoned, indicating his active participation in their condemnation.

Theological Significance

The use of G2623 carries significant weight, highlighting key themes within the biblical text.

• A Tool of Persecution: The word is exclusively used to describe the imprisonment of God's faithful messengers, including John the Baptist and the early saints, by hostile powers.
• The Consequence of Faithfulness: Being shut up is presented as a direct result of proclaiming the truth. John was imprisoned by Herod, and the saints were imprisoned for their faith in Jerusalem.
• An Act of Authority: In both documented cases, the act of using G2623 is carried out by individuals with official power—a king in Luke 3:20 and those acting with the authority of the chief priests in Acts 26:10.

Summary

In summary, G2623 is a precise verb that signifies more than just closing a door; it means to incarcerate or imprison a person. Its limited but powerful use in Scripture firmly places it within the context of persecution. It illustrates how secular and religious authorities used imprisonment as a weapon to suppress and punish the righteous, making it a key term in understanding the opposition faced by John the Baptist and the early church.