καθίζω
kathízō
G2523 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause to sit, to set or place (someone or something) in a seat or position; (intransitive) to sit down, to take a seat. Figuratively, to settle, establish, or appoint to a position. The term thus describes both literal physical sitting and the act of assigning or installing someone to an office or location.
Semantic Range
to cause to sit, to seat, to place in a seat or position, to appoint (to office), to settle, to set down, to sit (intransitive), to take a seat, to dwell, to remain, to tarry
Root / Etymology
From the root καθιζ-, derived from the verb καθίζω, based on the preposition κατά (down, according to) and the verb ἵζω (to cause to sit, to place). ἵζω itself is related to the PIE root *sed- (to sit). καθίζω is the causative form, meaning 'to cause to sit.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, καθίζω primarily meant 'to cause to sit' or 'to set down.' In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, its use expanded to both literal and figurative senses, including appointing to a position of authority, establishing in a place, or settling (as in birds 'hovering' or 'settling' over something). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it appears both intransitively (sit, take one's seat) and transitively (set or appoint). Figurative uses include installing an individual in authority (e.g., on a throne). English translations often conflate active (cause to sit, appoint) and intransitive (sit down, tarry) meanings, though the Greek distinguishes these. In the LXX, it can indicate both ordinary sitting and ceremonial installation (e.g., kings or judges). The root contrasts with κάθημαι, which only means 'to sit,' never 'to cause to sit' or 'appoint.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
another (active) form for καθέζομαι; to seat down, i.e. set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell):--continue, set, sit (down), tarry.
Root Family
καθίζω (kathizō) — to cause to sit, to seat, to set in place, to appoint, to sit down
Word Forms
14 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2523-03 |
ἐκάθισεν | ekathisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
sat down | he/she/it sat down | 13 |
G2523-07 |
καθίσας | kathisas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having sat | having sat down | 10 |
G2523-04 |
καθίσαι | kathisai | V AOR ACT INF |
to sit | to seat | 6 |
G2523-02 |
ἐκάθισαν | ekathisan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they sat | they sat down | 3 |
G2523-08 |
καθίσατε | kathisate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
Sit | Seat yourselves | 3 |
G2523-05 |
καθίσαντες | kathisantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having sat down | having sat down | 2 |
G2523-12 |
καθίσωσιν | kathisosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
they might seat | 1 | |
G2523-13 |
καθίζετε | kathizete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
set | you seat | 1 |
G2523-10 |
καθίσει | kathisei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he/she/it will seat | 1 | |
G2523-01 |
ἐκάθισα | ekathisa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I seated | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
45 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2523-06 |
Matthew 5:1 | καθίσαντος | kathisantos | V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG |
of the one having sat down | |
G2523-05 |
Matthew 13:48 | καθίσαντες | kathisantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having sat down | |
G2523-09 |
Matthew 19:28 | καθίσῃ | kathise | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
might seat | |
G2523-12 |
Matthew 20:21 | καθίσωσιν | kathisosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
they might seat | |
G2523-04 |
Matthew 20:23 | καθίσαι | kathisai | V AOR ACT INF |
to seat | |
G2523-02 |
Matthew 23:2 | ἐκάθισαν | ekathisan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they sat down | |
G2523-10 |
Matthew 25:31 | καθίσει | kathisei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he/she/it will seat | |
G2523-08 |
Matthew 26:36 | καθίσατε | kathisate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
Seat yourselves | |
G2523-07 |
Mark 9:35 | καθίσας | kathisas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
Sitting down | having sat down |
G2523-11 |
Mark 10:37 | καθίσωμεν | kathisomen | V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
we may sit | let us sit down |