καταλαλέω (G2635) — Greek Lexicon

καταλαλέω

katalaléō

G2635 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To speak against someone, to slander or defame; in Koine Greek, refers specifically to speaking disparagingly about someone, often in their absence, with the intention of damaging their reputation or honor. The word may also encompass malicious gossip or critical speech intended to harm social standing. Its primary sense involves verbal disparagement or defamation.

Semantic Range

to speak against, to slander, to defame, to malign, to disparage, to speak evil of, to gossip with malicious intent

Root / Etymology

From κατά (kata, 'against, down') + λαλέω (laleō, 'to speak, talk'), thus literally 'to speak against' or 'to talk down about.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

While the term rarely occurs in classical Greek sources, it is found in Hellenistic and Koine contexts to describe slander or malicious talk. In the New Testament (notably James 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:12, 3:16), καταλαλέω specifically refers to speaking critically about a fellow community member, often with a warning against internal discord. The related noun κατάλαλος means 'slanderer' or 'defamer.' Unlike the more general κακολογέω ('to speak evil of'), καταλαλέω carries the nuance of targeting someone's character or reputation, with the idea of undermining social cohesion. Standard English translations such as 'speak evil against' or 'slander' capture the basic sense but may not fully convey the term's community and honor-shame implications within the Greco-Roman and Judean social world.

Translation Consistency

primary "slander" 5 occurrences

Captures the primary sense of καταλαλέω — maliciously speaking against or defaming someone. 'Slander' is a natural, common English verb that conveys the intent to harm reputation (covering 'speak against', 'speak evil of', 'malign' and 'gossip' senses) and is more precise than a generic verb like 'speak'.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατάλαλος; to be a traducer, i.e. to slander:--speak against (evil of).

Root Family

καταλαλέω (katalaleō) — to speak, to speak against, to slander, to defame

Root λαλ- to speak, to talk

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2635-01`	καταλαλεῖ	katalalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	speaks against	slanders	slanders	1
`G2635-04`	καταλαλῶν	katalalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	who speaks against	the one slandering	the one slandering	1
`G2635-03`	καταλαλεῖτε	katalaleite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	speak against	be slandering	be slandering	1
`G2635-02`	καταλαλεῖσθε	katalaleisthe	`V PRS PASS IND 2P PL`	you are slandered	you are being slandered	you are being slandered	1
`G2635-05`	καταλαλοῦσιν	katalalousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	they slander	they are slandering	they slander	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2635-03`	James 4:11	καταλαλεῖτε	katalaleite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	speak against	be slandering	be slandering
`G2635-04`	James 4:11	καταλαλῶν	katalalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	who speaks against	the one slandering	the one slandering
`G2635-01`	James 4:11	καταλαλεῖ	katalalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	speaks against	slanders	slanders
`G2635-05`	1 Peter 2:12	καταλαλοῦσιν	katalalousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	they slander	they are slandering	they slander
`G2635-02`	1 Peter 3:16	καταλαλεῖσθε	katalaleisthe	`V PRS PASS IND 2P PL`	you are slandered	you are being slandered	you are being slandered

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