English · KJV
G2719

κατεσθίω

katesthíō /kat-es-thee'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom κατά and ἐσθίω (including its alternate)
Meaningto eat down, i.e. devour (literally or figuratively)
KJV usagedevour.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of katesthíō — 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 katesthíō, represented by G2719, means to eat down or devour. It is formed from the words κατά and ἐσθίω and appears 20 times across 15 unique verses. It is used to describe consumption in both a literal and figurative sense.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2719 is used in several key contexts. Literally, it describes the fowls of the air that devoured the seed that fell by the way side in the parable of the sower Luke 8:5. Figuratively, it is used to condemn the scribes and Pharisees who devour widows' houses, highlighting their exploitation Matthew 23:14. The term also carries symbolic weight, as seen when the dragon stands ready to devour the child of the woman in Revelation Revelation 12:4, and when fire from heaven devoured those who compassed the camp of the saints Revelation 20:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of consumption and destruction:

  • G1143 dáknō (to bite, i.e. (figuratively) thwart): This word is used alongside devour to describe relational conflict within the church, warning believers not to "bite and devour one another" Galatians 5:15.
  • G2662 katapatéō (to trample down; figuratively, to reject with disdain): In the parable of the sower, the seed is first "trodden down" before the fowls of the air devoured it, showing a sequence of destructive actions Luke 8:5.
  • G355 analískō (properly, to use up, i.e. destroy): This term describes the ultimate outcome of devouring one another in conflict, warning that believers might be "consumed one of another" Galatians 5:15.
  • G5315 phágō (to eat (literally or figuratively)): As an alternate form of the root word for katesthíō, it appears in Revelation where John is told to eat up G2719 the little book, and a moment later he states, "as soon as I had eaten G5315 it, my belly was bitter" Revelation 10:10.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2719 is significant, conveying ideas of utter destruction, exploitation, and overwhelming experience.

  • Destructive Power: The word is frequently associated with complete destruction, either as an act of judgment, such as the fire from heaven that devoured God's enemies Revelation 20:9, or as a symbol of satanic intent, as with the dragon waiting to devour the child Revelation 12:4.
  • Exploitation and Sin: It is used to condemn the sin of exploiting the vulnerable, most notably in the repeated charge against those who devour widows' houses Matthew 23:14. It also describes the wasteful consumption of the prodigal son, who devoured his living with harlots Luke 15:30.
  • Internal Strife: The term is applied to conflict within the community of believers, warning them not to "bite and devour one another" lest they be consumed Galatians 5:15.
  • Prophetic Calling: In a unique sense, it describes the overwhelming nature of a divine message or passion. John is commanded to eat the little book Revelation 10:9, and zeal for God's house is described as having eaten up the speaker John 2:17.

Summary

In summary, G2719 is a powerful verb that extends beyond simple eating. It is a cornerstone for understanding concepts of destruction, exploitation, and overwhelming force in scripture. From the literal act of fowls devouring seeds to the figurative damnation of those who devour widows' houses, the word carries a weight of finality and totality. It illustrates how a single term can describe physical consumption, sinful exploitation, and even the all-encompassing nature of divine zeal.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 15 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • κατέφαγεν
  • κατεσθίετε
  • κατεσθίει
  • κατάφαγε
  • κατέφαγον
  • καταφαγών
  • καταφάγῃ
  • καταφάγεταί
  • κατεσθίουσιν
  • κατεσθίοντες

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.

G1143 δάκνω a prolonged form of a primary root G2662 καταπατέω to trample down G355 ἀναλίσκω properly, to use up, i.e. destroy G5315 φάγω to eat (literally or figuratively)

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 15 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Revelation (5 verses); never once in the other 20.

2
Matthew
2
Mark
3
Luke
1
John
1
2 Corinthians
1
Galatians
5
Revelation

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, by grammatical form, 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.