Word Study for G5180 (τύπτω) | Strong's Concordance

týptō /toop'-to/ Ask about this word

Meaninga primary verb (in a strengthened form); to "thump", i.e. cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from παίω and πατάσσω, which denote a (usually single) blow with the hand or any instrument, or πλήσσω with the fist (or a hammer), or ῥαπίζω with the palm; as well as from τυγχάνω, an accidental collision); by implication, to punish; figuratively, to offend (the conscience)

KJV usagebeat, smite, strike, wound.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of týptō — 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 týptō, represented by G5180, means to "thump" or "pummel," an action defined by repeated blows. It appears 14 times across 13 unique verses in the Bible. The definition explicitly differentiates it from words implying a single blow, highlighting its use for cudgeling or repeated striking. Its applications range from literal physical assault to the figurative act of offending the conscience.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, G5180 is used to describe acts of violence, justice, and grief. It portrays the abuse of authority, as seen in the parable of the wicked servant who begins to beat the menservants and maidens Luke 12:45. It also depicts mob violence, such as when the crowd stopped beating Paul upon the arrival of soldiers Acts 21:32 or when Sosthenes was beat before the judgment seat Acts 18:17. The term is prominent in the passion narratives, where soldiers smote Jesus on the head Matthew 27:30 and struck him while he was blindfolded Luke 22:64. Conversely, the word also illustrates profound repentance, as when the publican smote upon his breast G4738 to show his remorse Luke 18:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context surrounding the act of smiting:

G3817 paíō (to hit (as if by a single blow and less violently than τύπτω)): This word is directly contrasted with G5180. After Jesus's captors struck (týptō) him, they mockingly asked who it was that smote (paíō) him Luke 22:64.
G2753 keleúō (to incite by word, i.e. order): This term shows how an act of smiting can be initiated by a command. Paul directly challenges the high priest who unlawfully commandest him to be smitten Acts 23:3.
G4028 perikalýptō (to cover all around, i.e. entirely): This action is directly linked to the abuse of Christ. The soldiers blindfolded (perikalýptō) him before they began to struck (týptō) him on the face Luke 22:64.
G1716 emptýō (to spit at or on): An act of deep disrespect, spitting is mentioned alongside smiting in the mockery of Jesus. Soldiers did spit upon him before they smote him on the head with a reed Mark 15:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5180 is demonstrated in several key areas:

Abuse and Injustice: The word frequently highlights sinful behavior and the misuse of power, as when an unfaithful servant smites his fellow servants Matthew 24:49 or when Paul is unlawfully ordered to be smitten Acts 23:3.
The Suffering of Christ: The use of G5180 is critical in describing the physical torment Jesus endured. He was smote with a reed Mark 15:19 and struck by his captors Luke 22:64, showing the depth of his humiliation.
Figurative Wounding: The meaning extends beyond physical harm to spiritual injury. Paul explains that when believers sin against their brethren, they wound their weak conscience, which is a sin against Christ 1 Corinthians 8:12.
Outward Sign of Grief: In a starkly different context, the act of smiting oneself on the breast is a physical manifestation of deep remorse and repentance, as seen with the publican Luke 18:13 and the crowds at the crucifixion Luke 23:48.

Summary

In summary, G5180 is a powerful word signifying repeated, forceful blows. It is employed scripturally to describe unjust violence, the physical suffering of Jesus, and, in a significant figurative sense, the injury caused to a person's conscience. While often associated with sinful aggression, it is also used to portray the physical expression of profound grief and repentance, making it a term with a broad and impactful range of meaning.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 14 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 4×
Present Active Infinitive 4×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 3×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Dative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Passive Infinitive 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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 13 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (5 verses); never once in the other 22.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Acts

1 Corinthians

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, 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.