Kolaphos
/ˈkɒl.ə.fɒs/noun
A blow, slap, or physical buffeting, especially in biblical or classical commentary.
Did you know?Kolaphos appears in 2 Corinthians 12:7, where Paul describes his affliction as a repeated ‘thorn’ and a kolaphos—a humiliating blow or buffet.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
κόλαφος (kolaphos)
“A blow, slap, or buffet.”
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
κολάπτω (kolaptō)
“To strike, beat, or peck; a related verb traditionally associated with the noun.”
1st Century
Koine Greek
κόλαφος
“A physical blow or humiliating act of beating, including the ‘buffeting’ mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
colaphus
“A blow or slap, borrowed from Greek.”
Modern English
English
kolaphos
“A transliterated technical or theological term for a blow, slap, or buffeting.”