κατακαυχάομαι (G2620) — Greek Lexicon

κατακαυχάομαι

katakaucháomai

G2620 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To boast over, to exult triumphantly over someone or something, expressing a sense of superiority, triumph, or dominance. It often carries a nuance of 'boasting at the expense of another' or engaging in self-glorification by comparison to or at the disadvantage of others. In some contexts, it may have a tone of arrogance or gloating.

Semantic Range

to boast over, to glory over, to exult against, to rejoice at the expense of another, to gloat, to express superiority

Root / Etymology

From the preposition κατά ('over, against') combined with καυχάομαι ('to boast, glory, exult'). The prefix κατά intensifies or directs the sense of boasting towards someone or something, often denoting opposition or superiority over another.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, κατακαυχάομαι is attested mainly in contexts emphasizing triumph or boasting over others, often where interpersonal or intergroup dynamics are involved. In the New Testament (e.g. Romans 11:18; James 2:13), it denotes behaving in a manner intended to elevate oneself above others by putting them down, or exulting over their misfortune or perceived inferiority. The term is rare outside biblical and related literature, and its usage is more specialized than the broader καυχάομαι, which simply means 'to boast.' English renderings such as 'boast against' or 'rejoice over' may not fully communicate the implied social rivalry or aggressive self-exaltation often carried by the Greek. No clear distinction is drawn between ethnic, religious, or social groups in the usage—it is contextually applied to any party exulting over another. The term's components are classical, but the compound itself is most common in Hellenistic and Koine contexts, including the LXX and early Christian writings, highlighting social or spiritual arrogance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and καυχάομαι; to exult against (i.e. over):--boast (against), glory, rejoice against.

Root Family

κατακαυχάομαι (katakauchaomai) — to boast, to exult, to glory over

Root καυχ- to boast, to exult, to glory

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2620-03`	κατακαυχᾶται	katakauchatai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	triumphs	boasts over	boasts over	1
`G2620-02`	κατακαυχᾶσθε	katakauchasthe	`V PRS MID IMP 2P PL`	boast	be boasting over	boast over	1
`G2620-04`	κατακαυχῶ	katakaucho	`V PRS MID IMP 2P SG`	boast against	Boast over!	boast over	1
`G2620-01`	κατακαυχᾶσαι	katakauchasai	`V PRS MID IND 2P SG`	you boast	you boast over	you boast over	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2620-04`	Romans 11:18	κατακαυχῶ	katakaucho	`V PRS MID IMP 2P SG`	boast against	Boast over!	boast over
`G2620-01`	Romans 11:18	κατακαυχᾶσαι	katakauchasai	`V PRS MID IND 2P SG`	you boast	you boast over	you boast over
`G2620-03`	James 2:13	κατακαυχᾶται	katakauchatai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	triumphs	boasts over	boasts over
`G2620-02`	James 3:14	κατακαυχᾶσθε	katakauchasthe	`V PRS MID IMP 2P PL`	boast	be boasting over	boast over

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