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καθέζομαι

kathézomai

G2516 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to sit down, take a seat, to settle into a sitting posture; more generally, to be seated, to remain seated. The verb primarily describes the physical act of sitting, but in figurative contexts can also indicate taking up residence or remaining stationary.

Semantic Range

to sit, to settle oneself, to take a seat, to remain seated, to dwell (figurative or extended sense)

Root / Etymology

Compound of κατά (kata, 'down, according to') and the root of ἕζομαι (hezomai, 'to sit'), with the prefix imparting the sense of 'downward' or 'thoroughly'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἕζομαι was the standard term for 'to sit’ or 'to take one's seat'. καθέζομαι appears in later Greek, especially in Koine and Hellenistic texts, with a sense similar to its root but often compounded for emphasis or nuance. In the New Testament and Septuagint, it typically denotes the physical action of sitting down, sometimes with an implication of assuming a position of teaching, waiting, or remaining. The verb does not inherently convey any specific social or ritual meaning, though its context (such as sitting to teach) may take on further significance. English translations ('sit', 'sit down') generally capture the main sense, but in some cases, nuances of settling or residing (in a place) may be under-translated. καθέζομαι is less common in earlier periods and becomes more regular in Koine Greek. It is distinct from καθίζω, which can be causative ('to seat, to cause to sit'), while καθέζομαι is intransitive ('to sit oneself, to take a seat').

Translation Consistency

primary "sit" 7 occurrences

Primary sense is the physical act of taking/being in a seated posture (‘to sit down’, ‘to remain seated’). ‘Sit’ is the most natural, common English verb that covers literal sitting and easily supports figurative uses (e.g. sit in a place, sit enthroned, remain seated) while keeping translations consistent across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and the base of ἑδραῖος; to sit down:--sit.

Root Family

καθέζομαι (kathézomai) — to sit, to take a seat, to settle oneself

Root ἑζ- to sit, to take a seat

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2516-01 ἐκαθέζετο ekathezeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG sat was sitting down he was sitting down 2
G2516-06 καθεζομένους kathezomenous V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL sitting those sitting down sitting 1
G2516-02 ἐκαθεζόμην ekathezomen V IMPF MID IND 1P SG I was sitting I was sitting down I was sitting 1
G2516-04 καθεζόμενον kathezomenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG sitting sitting himself down sitting 1
G2516-03 καθεζόμενοι kathezomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL were sitting those sitting down were sitting 1
G2516-05 καθεζόμενος kathezomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG sitting sitting himself down sitting 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2516-02 Matthew 26:55 ἐκαθεζόμην ekathezomen V IMPF MID IND 1P SG I was sitting I was sitting down I was sitting
G2516-04 Luke 2:46 καθεζόμενον kathezomenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG sitting sitting himself down sitting
G2516-01 John 4:6 ἐκαθέζετο ekathezeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG sat was sitting down he was sitting down
G2516-01 John 11:20 ἐκαθέζετο ekathezeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG sat was sitting down he was sitting down
G2516-06 John 20:12 καθεζομένους kathezomenous V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL sitting those sitting down sitting
G2516-03 Acts 6:15 καθεζόμενοι kathezomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL were sitting those sitting down were sitting
G2516-05 Acts 20:9 καθεζόμενος kathezomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG sitting sitting himself down sitting
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