Original Word: κατοπτρίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katoptrizó
Pronunciation: kah-top-tree'-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-op-trid'-zom-ahee)
Definition: To reflect, to behold as in a mirror
Meaning: I mirror, reflect.

behold as in a mirror

Middle voice from a compound of kata and a derivative of optanomai (compare esoptron); to mirror oneself, i.e. To see reflected (figuratively) -- behold as in a glass.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK optanomai

see GREEK esoptron

Word Origin
from katoptron (a mirror)
Definition
to reflect as a mirror
NASB Translation
beholding as in a mirror (1).

STRONGS NT 2734: κατοπτρίζω

κατοπτρίζω: (κάτοπτρον a mirror), to show in a mirror, to make to reflect, to mirror: κατοπτριζων ὁ ἥλιος τήν ἰριν, Plutarch, mor., p. 894 f. (i. e. de plac. philos. 3, 5, 11). Middle present κατοπτρίζομαι; to look at oneself in a mirror (Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 2, 7; Athen. 15, p. 687 c.; (Diogenes Laërtius 2, 33; (7, 17)); to behold for oneself as in a mirror (Winers Grammar, 254 (238); Buttmann, 193f (167)): τήν δόξαν τοῦ κυρίου, the glory of Christ (which we behold in the gospel as in a mirror from which it is reflected), 2 Corinthians 3:18. Plainly so in Philo, alleg. leg. iii., § 33 μηδέ κατοπτρισαιμην ἐν ἄλλῳ τίνι

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word κάτοπτρον (katoptron), meaning "mirror."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for κατοπτρίζω, the concept of reflection and contemplation can be related to Hebrew terms that involve seeing or beholding, such as רָאָה (ra'ah • Strong's 7200), which means "to see" or "to look at." This connection underscores the biblical theme of perceiving and reflecting divine truth.

Usage: The term is used in the New Testament to describe the act of reflecting or contemplating, particularly in a spiritual or metaphorical sense.

Context: The Greek verb κατοπτρίζω appears in the New Testament in 2 Corinthians 3:18. In this passage, the Apostle Paul uses the term to describe the transformative process of believers as they behold the glory of the Lord. The verse reads: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (BSB).

In this context, κατοπτρίζω conveys the idea of spiritual reflection and transformation. The imagery of a mirror suggests a clear and direct contemplation of divine glory, leading to a progressive change in the believer's character to become more like Christ. This transformation is described as occurring "with intensifying glory," indicating a continuous and dynamic process facilitated by the Holy Spirit.

The use of κατοπτρίζω in this passage highlights the intimate relationship between the believer and the divine, where the act of beholding God's glory results in a profound internal change. This reflects the broader biblical theme of sanctification, where believers are gradually conformed to the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.

κατοπτριζομενοι κατοπτριζόμενοι κατόπτρων κατορθοί κατορθούντων κατορθούσι κατορθών κατορθώσαι κατορθώσατε κατόρθωσε κατορθώσει κατορθώσεις κατορθώση κατορθώσω κατωρθούμην κατωρθώθη κατώρθωσε katoptrizomenoi katoptrizómenoiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts