καταλείπω
kataleípō
G2641 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To leave behind, to leave (someone or something) in a place, to abandon or forsake (intentionally or unintentionally), to cause or permit to remain. The primary sense is 'to leave behind,' whether physically departing from a person, place, or object, or figuratively through neglect or abandonment. Contextually, it can indicate leaving a person destitute, forsaking obligations, or intentionally reserving something for future use or someone else's benefit.
Semantic Range
to leave behind, to abandon, to forsake, to have remaining, to leave as a remainder or inheritance, to neglect, to reserve
Root / Etymology
From κατά ('down, according to') and λείπω ('to leave, to abandon'). The prepositional prefix intensifies or adds the nuance of leaving in a specific state or place. Related to the simple verb λείπω and compounds such as ἐγκαταλείπω.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, καταλείπω is used broadly for leaving someone or something behind, whether temporarily or permanently, including both neutral and negative senses. In the Septuagint, it frequently renders Hebrew terms for forsaking or abandoning, especially with religious or ethical overtones, and often conveys a sense of dereliction. In the New Testament, the term continues to mean 'to leave behind' both concretely (e.g., leaving a person or possessions) and metaphorically (forsaking, neglecting, or abandoning). In some contexts, it means 'to bequeath' or 'to reserve/leave for someone.' English translations frequently render it as 'leave,' 'forsake,' 'abandon,' or 'remain,' but the nuance depends on context (e.g., abandonment versus intentional reservation). The verb can appear in both personal and impersonal constructions. The meaning is distinguished from related forms like ἐγκαταλείπω ('to utterly abandon, desert').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and λείπω; to leave down, i.e. behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining:--forsake, leave, reserve.
Root Family
καταλείπω (kataleipō) — to leave, to abandon, to allow to remain
Word Forms
14 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2641-09 |
καταλιπὼν | katalipon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having left | having left behind | 6 |
G2641-06 |
καταλείψει | kataleipsei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
shall leave | he/she/it will leave behind | 3 |
G2641-13 |
κατέλιπεν | katelipen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
has left | left behind | 3 |
G2641-14 |
κατέλιπον | katelipon | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
I have kept | they left behind | 2 |
G2641-11 |
κατελείφθη | kateleiphthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was left | was left behind | 1 |
G2641-08 |
καταλίπῃ | katalipe | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
leaves | may leave behind | 1 |
G2641-04 |
καταλειπόντες | kataleipontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having forsaken | leaving behind | 1 |
G2641-01 |
καταλείπει | kataleipei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
leave | leaves behind | 1 |
G2641-02 |
καταλειφθῆναι | kataleiphthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be left behind | to be left behind | 1 |
G2641-03 |
καταλειπομένης | kataleipomenes | V PRS PASS PTCP GEN F SG |
being left behind | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
24 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2641-09 |
Matthew 4:13 | καταλιπὼν | katalipon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having left behind | |
G2641-09 |
Matthew 16:4 | καταλιπὼν | katalipon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having left behind | |
G2641-06 |
Matthew 19:5 | καταλείψει | kataleipsei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he/she/it will leave behind | |
G2641-09 |
Matthew 21:17 | καταλιπὼν | katalipon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having left behind | |
G2641-06 |
Mark 10:7 | καταλείψει | kataleipsei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
shall leave | he/she/it will leave behind |
G2641-08 |
Mark 12:19 | καταλίπῃ | katalipe | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
leaves | may leave behind |
G2641-09 |
Mark 12:21 | καταλιπὼν | katalipon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
leaving | having left behind |
G2641-09 |
Mark 14:52 | καταλιπὼν | katalipon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having left | having left behind |
G2641-09 |
Luke 5:28 | καταλιπὼν | katalipon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
he left | having left behind |
G2641-13 |
Luke 10:40 | κατέλιπεν | katelipen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
has left | left behind |