καθαιρέω
kathairéō
G2507 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To take down, remove, or demolish, especially in the context of pulling, lowering, or destroying a physical structure or object; by extension, to cause something to cease, to bring to an end, or to depose someone from a position. The core meaning is the act of removing something from an elevated or established place, whether physically (such as tearing down a building) or figuratively (such as removing authority or status).
Semantic Range
to pull down, to demolish or tear down (a structure), to lower (physically), to depose or remove (from office or position), to cause to cease, to destroy (abstractly or concretely)
Root / Etymology
From the preposition κατά ('down, against') and the verb αἱρέω ('to take, to seize, to remove'). The compound intensifies the directional or forceful aspect of the action, emphasizing removal from a position or destruction.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, καθαιρέω most commonly referred to the physical act of taking down or demolishing buildings, statues, or other erected objects. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term maintains its focus on removal, but broadens to cover both physical acts (tearing down the temple, lowering someone or something from a height) and figurative acts (deposing rulers, destroying plans). The verb appears in military, religious, and social contexts. Standard English translations such as 'cast down,' 'pull down,' or 'destroy' often capture physical senses but may obscure nuances such as ceremonial or hierarchical removal. The verb is distinct from λύω ('to loose, to destroy, to dissolve'), which often indicates dissolution rather than active removal or demolition. In the NT (e.g., 2 Corinthians 10:4), the term can denote the dismantling of arguments or ideologies, thus broadening its metaphorical sense. Greek literature may also use it in legal or political contexts for removal from office or position.
Translation Consistency
"Remove" is a natural, broad verb that covers the primary sense of kathaireō: taking down or taking away something from an elevated or established place. It works for physical actions (taking down/tearing down a structure) and for figurative senses (deposing or bringing something to an end), and is more conversational and versatile than more formal options like "demolish" or narrowly focused words like "depose."
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and αἱρέομαι (including its alternate); to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively):--cast (pull, put, take) down, destroy.
Root Family
καθαιρέω (kathaireō) — to take down, to demolish, to remove
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2507-06 |
καθελὼν | kathelon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having destroyed | having torn down | having taken down | 3 |
G2507-05 |
καθελῶ | kathelo | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
I will tear down | I will take down | I will tear down | 1 |
G2507-01 |
καθαιρεῖσθαι | kathaireisthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to be destroyed | to be taken down | to be destroyed | 1 |
G2507-04 |
καθελεῖν | kathelein | V AOR ACT INF |
to take down | to take down | to take down | 1 |
G2507-07 |
καθελόντες | kathelontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
they took down | having torn down | having taken down | 1 |
G2507-02 |
καθαιροῦντες | kathairountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
destroying | demolishing ones | demolishing ones | 1 |
G2507-03 |
καθεῖλεν | katheilen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
He has brought down | he took down | he has brought down | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2507-04 |
Mark 15:36 | καθελεῖν | kathelein | V AOR ACT INF |
to take down | to take down | to take down |
G2507-06 |
Mark 15:46 | καθελὼν | kathelon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
took down | having torn down | having taken down |
G2507-03 |
Luke 1:52 | καθεῖλεν | katheilen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
He has brought down | he took down | he has brought down |
G2507-05 |
Luke 12:18 | καθελῶ | kathelo | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
I will tear down | I will take down | I will tear down |
G2507-06 |
Luke 23:53 | καθελὼν | kathelon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having taken down | having torn down | having taken down |
G2507-06 |
Acts 13:19 | καθελὼν | kathelon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having destroyed | having torn down | having taken down |
G2507-07 |
Acts 13:29 | καθελόντες | kathelontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
they took down | having torn down | having taken down |
G2507-01 |
Acts 19:27 | καθαιρεῖσθαι | kathaireisthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to be destroyed | to be taken down | to be destroyed |
G2507-02 |
2 Corinthians 10:4 | καθαιροῦντες | kathairountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
destroying | demolishing ones | demolishing ones |