# overtake

## Definition:

The terms "overtake" and "overtook" refer to gaining control over someone or something. It usually includes the idea of catching up to something after pursuing it.

* When military troops "overtake" an enemy, it means they defeat that enemy in battle.
* When a predator "overtakes" its prey, it means that it pursues and catches its prey.
* If a curse "overtakes" someone, it means that whatever was said in that curse happens to that person.
* If blessings "overtake" people, it means that those people experience those blessings.
* When used in a warning that darkness or punishment or terrors will "overtake" people because of their sin, it means that those people will experience these negative things if they don't repent.

Translation Suggestions:

* Depending on the context, "overtake" and "overcome" could be translated as "conquer" or "capture" or "defeat" or "catch up to" or "completely affect."
* The past action "overtook" can be translated as "caught up to" or "came alongside of" or "conquered" or "defeated" or "caused harm to."

(See also: [bless](../kt/bless.md), [curse](../kt/curse.md), [prey](../other/prey.md), [punish](../other/punish.md))

## Bible References:

* [2 Kings 25:4-5](rc://en/tn/help/2ki/25/04)
* [John 12:35](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/12/35)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H579, H857, H935, H1692, H4672, H5066, H5381, G2638, G2983

## Forms Found in the English ULB:

overtake, overtaken, overtakes, overtook