### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ταρταρόω (tartaróō), transliterated as "tartaróō," is derived from "Tartarus," a name rooted in classical Greek mythology. In this mythological context, Tartarus represented a deep, dark abyss, a chasm used as a dungeon for the most heinous offenders, particularly rebellious deities like the Titans. It was conceived as being as far below Hades (the realm of the dead) as the earth is below the sky, signifying the lowest and most severe place of confinement. Therefore, the verb ταρταρόω literally means "to cast into Tartarus" or "to thrust down to Tartarus." Its semantic range is narrow but intensely significant, denoting a definitive, permanent, and severe act of divine judgment, specifically involving incarceration in a place of extreme confinement and torment. The implication of "eternal torment" in its base definition draws directly from the mythological understanding of Tartarus as a place of lasting punishment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ταρταρόω appears only once in the entire New Testament, found in [[2 Peter 2:4]]. The verse states: "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell [ταρταρόω] and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment..." In this passage, Peter is constructing an argument for the certainty of God's judgment against unrighteousness, using historical and supra-historical precedents. He cites the judgment upon the sinning angels, the antediluvian world, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The use of ταρταρόω in relation to the angels is highly specific and deliberate. It signifies that these particular angels, unlike other fallen spirits who may roam the earth, have been subjected to a unique and severe form of divine incarceration. They are not merely "cast down" in a general sense, but consigned to a specialized place of confinement, described further as "chains of gloomy darkness," indicating an oppressive and inescapable imprisonment. This confinement is explicitly stated as an interim measure, a holding place "to be kept until the judgment," implying a future, final reckoning. This unique application underscores the gravity of their sin and the particularity of their punishment, distinguishing their fate from other forms of divine retribution.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Hades (ᾅδης, `{{G86}}`):** While Tartarus is conceptually linked to the underworld, it is distinct from Hades. Hades generally refers to the realm of the dead, encompassing both the righteous and the unrighteous dead in various compartments. ταρταρόω, however, points to the deepest, most punitive, and most confined part of the underworld, or a specific prison within it, reserved for unique offenders.
* **Gehenna (γέεννα, `{{G1067}}`):** This term, derived from the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, is often used in the New Testament to denote the place of eternal punishment for humans. While both Tartarus and Gehenna signify places of judgment and torment, ταρταρόω describes the judgment specifically on angels, whereas Gehenna primarily describes the ultimate fate of unrighteous humans. They represent distinct, though conceptually related, aspects of divine judgment.
* **Abyss (ἄβυσσος, `{{G12}}`):** This word also denotes a deep, bottomless pit, frequently associated with the imprisonment of demonic entities (e.g., [[Revelation 9:1]], [[Revelation 20:1]]). There is a clear conceptual overlap in terms of a place of confinement for spiritual beings. However, ταρταρόω carries the specific mythological weight of the deepest, most severe, and most inescapable spiritual prison.
* **Judgment (κρίσις, `{{G2920}}`):** The act of "casting down to Tartarus" is a profound act of divine judgment. It represents a preliminary or interim stage of punishment for these angels, preceding their ultimate, final judgment. This highlights God's meticulous and progressive handling of all rebellion.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of ταρταρόω in [[2 Peter 2:4]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful testament to the absolute certainty and severity of God's judgment, even against powerful spiritual beings. If God did not spare angels who sinned, then humanity, too, cannot expect to escape divine retribution for rebellion. This passage reveals a specific dimension of divine justice: God possesses the ultimate authority and power to confine and punish rebellious spiritual forces. Such a truth offers immense comfort and assurance to believers, knowing that even the most formidable evil, including supernatural evil, is ultimately subject to God's sovereign control and will face just and inescapable retribution. The passage implicitly affirms the reality of a spiritual realm, the existence of rebellious spiritual beings, and the dire consequences of their disobedience. The description of "chains of gloomy darkness" further emphasizes the punitive and deprived nature of this confinement, signifying more than mere isolation. It underscores the concept of progressive divine judgment, where some beings are already undergoing a form of preliminary confinement, awaiting their final and definitive reckoning.
### Summary
The Greek verb ταρταρόω (tartaróō), appearing uniquely in [[2 Peter 2:4]], signifies the divine act of casting into Tartarus, the deepest mythological abyss of confinement and torment. This singular biblical occurrence describes God's specific judgment upon certain sinning angels, consigning them to "chains of gloomy darkness" as an interim punishment until their final judgment. The term draws upon classical Greek understanding of Tartarus as a place of severe incarceration for rebellious beings, underscoring the gravity and permanence of this divine act. Theologically, ταρταρόω powerfully affirms God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including spiritual forces, demonstrating His unwavering justice and the certainty of judgment for all who rebel against Him, whether human or angelic. It distinguishes this particular angelic confinement from other aspects of the underworld like Hades or Gehenna, emphasizing a unique and severe form of divine retribution.