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In its biological use, katabole indicates "destruction". It is strange, that if this word
means "to place upon a foundation", it should have been adopted by scientists to indicate
the very opposite, namely disruption. Very clear evidence of the essential meaning of
katabole can be gathered from the usage of the verbal form kataballo. This verb
kataballo is used three times in the New Testament:
"Cast down, but not destroyed" (II Cor. 4: 9).
"The accuser of our brethren is cast down" (Rev. 12: 10).
indicate very clearly the meaning of the word. The other reference is Heb. xi 11 where
it is translated "conceive".
In Heb. 6: 1 the word is used with themelion, the true word for a foundation, but this
addition alters the whole intention, and there it appears to have its primitive meaning
"cast down", but whether in the sense of overthrowing, or of laying a foundation, only a
most exhaustive study of the context can decide. Job 12: 14, quoted below, has a
bearing.
Kataballo occurs twenty-nine times in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament
Scriptures. It will strengthen the faith of many, and deepen the conviction of most, if
these references which contain the word kataballo are quoted, but to avoid occupying a
disproportionate amount of space, verses will not be given in full. We will also quote
from the A.V. instead of giving a translation of the LXX version, except in those cases
where the LXX uses an entirely different text. Those who have access to the LXX will
not be hindered by this course and those who cannot refer to it will be helped.
"Joab battered the wall, to throw it down" (II Sam. 20: 15; LXX II Kings).
"Ye (they) shall fell (felled) every good tree" (II Kings 3: 19, 25; LXX IV Kings).
"As one was felling a beam" (II Kings 6: 5; LXX IV Kings).
"I will cause him to fall by the sword" (II Kings 19: 7; LXX IV Kings).
"They slew him with a sword" (II Chron. 32: 21).
"Behold He breaketh down, and it cannot be built again" (Job 12: 14).
"He teareth me in His wrath" (Job 16: 9).
"He breaketh me with breach upon breach" (Job 16: 14).
"To cast down the poor and needy" (Psa. 37: 14; LXX 36:).
"Thou casteth them down into destruction" (Psa. 73: 18; LXX 72:).
"To overthrow them in the wilderness" (Psa. 106: 26, 27; LXX 105:).
"She hath cast down many wounded" (Prov. 7: 26).
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds" (Prov. 18: 8).
"Like a city that is broken down, and without walls" (Prov. 25: 28).
"Esebon and Eleale have cast down thy trees" (LXX translation, Isa. 16: 9).
"The lofty city He layeth it low" (Isa. 26: 5).
"I will cause them to fall before their enemies" (Jer. 19: 7).
"I will cast down your slain men before your idols" (Ezek. 6: 4).
"Thy remnant shall fall by the sword" (Ezek. 23: 25).
"They shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers" (Ezek. 26: 4).
"He shall cast down with his swords" (LXX translation, Ezek. 26: 9).
"He shall cast down thy walls" (LXX translation, Ezek. 26: 12).
"I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness" (Ezek. 29: 5).
"I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand" (Ezek. 30: 22).
"Have him cast down upon the mountains" (LXX translation, Ezek. 31: 12).