### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb κοπάζω (kopázō), Strong's `{{G2869}}`, is derived from the noun `{{G2873}}` (κόπος - kopos), which signifies "toil, labor, trouble, weariness." Consequently, the primary sense of κοπάζω is "to grow weary" or "to tire out." However, its usage in the New Testament extends to a figurative meaning: "to cease, abate, or subside." This cessation is not merely a sudden stop, but rather the gradual weakening or exhaustion of a force, leading to its complete subsidence. It implies a process by which an active, often overwhelming, phenomenon "tires itself out" or is brought to an end, resulting in a state of calm or rest.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κοπάζω appears only twice in the New Testament, both instances occurring in the Gospel of Mark and describing the miraculous calming of the wind by Jesus:
* **[[Mark 4:39]]**: "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." Here, κοπάζω describes the immediate and absolute cessation of a violent storm wind at the direct command of Jesus. The wind, which had been raging, "tired out" or "abated" completely.
* **[[Mark 6:51]]**: "Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened." In this second instance, Jesus walks on water and enters the disciples' boat amidst another storm. As soon as He enters, the wind κοπάζω, it "ceases" or "subsides."
In both contexts, κοπάζω highlights the extraordinary power and authority of Jesus over the forces of nature. The word underscores the sudden and complete abatement of a threatening natural phenomenon, not through natural means, but through divine intervention. The wind, an uncontrollable and formidable element, ceases its activity as if exhausted or rendered powerless by the presence and command of the Son of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct lexical relation to κοπάζω is its root word, `{{G2873}}` (κόπος - kopos), meaning "toil, labor, trouble, weariness." This connection is vital, as it grounds the concept of "ceasing" in the idea of something being "worn out" or "exhausted."
Other related concepts, though not direct synonyms, include:
* **Cessation/Rest:** While κοπάζω specifically implies the *subsiding* of a force, other words like `{{G2664}}` (καταπαύω - katapauō, "to cause to cease, bring to rest") or `{{G2270}}` (ἡσυχάζω - hēsychazō, "to be quiet, be silent") convey a broader sense of stopping or resting. κοπάζω uniquely captures the sense of a force being spent.
* **Divine Authority:** The contexts in Mark align κοπάζω with the demonstration of divine authority over creation, a theme also seen in the Old Testament where God commands the elements (e.g., [[Psalm 107:29]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κοπάζω is profound, despite its limited occurrences. Its exclusive use in describing Jesus' calming of the storms in Mark's Gospel underscores several key truths:
1. **Christ's Sovereignty Over Creation:** The word powerfully illustrates Jesus' divine authority. The wind, a symbol of uncontrollable natural power and often chaos, is depicted as "tiring out" or "abating" at His command or presence. This demonstrates that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a wise teacher, but the Lord of creation, possessing the power that belongs to God alone.
2. **The Peace-Bringing Presence of Jesus:** The cessation of the storm, described by κοπάζω, brings about "a great calm" [[Mark 4:39]]. This highlights Jesus as the source of ultimate peace and security, capable of bringing an end to the most terrifying and tumultuous circumstances, both literal and metaphorical. He brings rest from the toil and trouble of life's storms.
3. **Divine Intervention:** The use of κοπάζω emphasizes that the calming was not a natural occurrence but a miraculous intervention. The wind did not merely die down; it ceased as if exhausted by a superior power, pointing to the supernatural agency of Christ.
### Summary
κοπάζω (kopázō) is a Greek verb meaning "to tire, grow weary," and by extension, "to cease, abate, or subside" due to exhaustion or completion. Derived from `{{G2873}}` (κόπος), signifying toil, it uniquely describes the subsiding of a force as if it has "worn itself out." In the New Testament, `{{G2869}}` is exclusively used in Mark's Gospel ([[Mark 4:39]] and [[Mark 6:51]]) to depict the miraculous cessation of the wind at the command or presence of Jesus. Its theological significance lies in powerfully demonstrating Jesus' divine authority over creation, His capacity to bring peace and calm amidst chaos, and the reality of His supernatural intervention in the natural world. It portrays Jesus as the one who brings an end to the "toil" and "trouble" of overwhelming forces.
TRV