καθίημι (G2524) — Greek Lexicon

καθίημι

kathíēmi

G2524 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ἵημι to send, to let go, to release

Definition

To lower, let down, or cause to descend from a higher to a lower place (whether material or metaphorical); also used to mean to permit to fall or to release something downward. In various contexts, signifies the physical act of letting something or someone down by means of a rope or similar device, allowing descent, or loosening/restoring something to a lower position. Secondary senses may include loosening, releasing, or even omitting, though these are less common in extant literature.

Semantic Range

to let down, to lower, to release downward, to permit to descend, to allow to fall, to drop

Root / Etymology

From κατά (down, according to) + ἵημι (to send, to let go, to release).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἵημι is the primary verb for 'sending' or 'letting go,' and the compound with κατά intensifies the sense of direction (downward). καθίημι is rare in classical prose, appearing more in poetic and later Koine contexts. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it typically refers to practical actions such as lowering a vessel into a well (e.g., Gen 24:18 LXX) or letting someone or something down from a height (e.g., Acts 9:25). English translations often render καθίημι as 'let down' or 'lower,' capturing the physical motion but not always the nuance of release or deliberate action involved. Unlike simple ἵημι or other compounds (e.g., ἀφίημι, 'to forgive, send away'), καθίημι retains a concrete, spatial sense. Its usage is limited in New Testament texts and does not acquire metaphorical senses like granting pardon or permitting in Hellenistic literature, remaining closely tied to physical acts of descending or lowering.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά; and (to send); to lower:--let down.

Root Family

καθίημι (kathiēmi) — to send down, to let go downward, to release, to lower

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G2524-01`	καθῆκαν	kathekan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	let down	they lowered	2
`G2524-03`	καθιέμενον	kathiemenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N SG`	let down	being let down	1
`G2524-02`	καθιεμένην	kathiemenen	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC F SG`	let down	being let down	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G2524-01`	Luke 5:19	καθῆκαν	kathekan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	let him down	they lowered
`G2524-01`	Acts 9:25	καθῆκαν	kathekan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	let down	they lowered
`G2524-03`	Acts 10:11	καθιέμενον	kathiemenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N SG`	let down	being let down
`G2524-02`	Acts 11:5	καθιεμένην	kathiemenen	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC F SG`	let down	being let down

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