### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **pnígō**, represented by `{{G4155}}`, means to **throttle or strangle**. It is derived from a word meaning to wheeze, and by implication describes a fatal action of choking or drowning. This specific term appears only **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, carrying the translations "choke" and "take by the throat."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two uses of `{{G4155}}` occur in distinct narrative contexts. In the Gospel of Matthew, it describes a violent, personal act. An unforgiving servant, having just been forgiven a massive debt, finds his own debtor and "took him by the throat" [[Matthew 18:28]], demanding payment. In Mark's Gospel, the word describes a mass casualty event. After Jesus casts unclean spirits into a herd of swine, the herd runs into the sea and "were choked" [[Mark 5:13]], illustrating the word's use for drowning.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the actions surrounding `{{G4155}}`:
* `{{G2902}}` **kratéō**: Meaning "to use strength, i.e. seize or retain," this word describes the action immediately preceding the choking in Matthew's parable, where the servant first "laid hands on him" before escalating the violence [[Matthew 18:28]].
* `{{G4889}}` **sýndoulos**: This term for a "fellowservant" identifies the victim of the choking. It highlights the nature of the relationship, as the attack was perpetrated not on a stranger, but on a peer who served the same master [[Matthew 18:28]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G4155}}` is seen in the powerful imagery it conveys in its limited usage.
* **The Violence of Unforgiveness:** In the parable of the unforgiving servant, the act to "take by the throat" is a visceral depiction of a merciless spirit. It physically manifests the spiritual state of a man who, having received immense grace, refuses to show any mercy [[Matthew 18:28]].
* **The Consequence of Evil:** The end of the demon-possessed swine is to be "choked" in the sea [[Mark 5:13]]. This use of `{{G4155}}` portrays the ultimate, destructive end that comes as a consequence of demonic influence, leading to a swift and total demise.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G4155}}` is a rare but potent word used to describe death by constriction or suffocation. While appearing only twice, it vividly illustrates two key biblical themes: the brutal nature of human cruelty fueled by an unforgiving heart, and the final, destructive outcome of evil. Whether used to describe a personal assault or a mass drowning, it conveys a sense of fatal finality.
TRV