καταπατέω
katapatéō
G2662 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To trample or tread down, especially by stepping or walking upon. In extended or figurative usage, to treat with contempt, disregard, or disrespect; to violate by disrespectful action. In physical contexts, indicates literal trampling by feet; in metaphorical contexts, expresses acts of despising, humiliating, or dishonoring persons, things, or values.
Semantic Range
to trample physically; to tread underfoot; to destroy by trampling; to treat with contempt; to violate or disrespect by action; to humiliate or dishonor by disrespectful treatment
Root / Etymology
From κατα- (kata-, 'down, against') and πατέω (pateō, 'to tread, walk'). The compound emphasizes the forceful or downward direction of the trampling action. The prefix κατα- intensifies the meaning of the root verb.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, καταπατέω is used primarily for literal trampling or stamping underfoot, applied to people, crops, or objects. In the Septuagint and other Hellenistic Jewish literature, the verb can retain this physical sense but also acquires broader figurative uses, such as disregarding laws or holiness (e.g., trampling the sanctuary or divine commands). In the New Testament, καταπατέω often takes on metaphorical resonance in ethical and religious contexts, for instance in Matthew 5:13 ('trampled underfoot'), Matthew 7:6 ('do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them'), and Hebrews 10:29 (of treating the 'Son of God' disrespectfully). English translations frequently render the word as 'trample' or 'tread down,' but such renderings may obscure the social and religious force of the verb in contexts where it expresses profound contempt or desecration. The verb is notably stronger in tone than root πατέω alone, emphasizing not just physical action but also moral or ritual violation. Distinct from related verbs such as καταβάλλω ('to throw down') or καταστρέφω ('to overturn'), which lack the connotation of humiliation or contempt expressed by trampling.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and πατέω; to trample down; figuratively, to reject with disdain:--trample, tread (down, underfoot).
Root Family
καταπατέω (katapateō) — to tread, to step, to trample
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2662-05 |
κατεπατήθη | katepatethe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
it was trodden down | was trampled down | 1 |
G2662-04 |
καταπατήσουσιν | katapatesousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
they will trample down | 1 | |
G2662-02 |
καταπατεῖσθαι | katapateisthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to be trampled down | 1 | |
G2662-03 |
καταπατήσας | katapatesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having trampled down | 1 | |
G2662-01 |
καταπατεῖν | katapatein | V PRS ACT INF |
to trample | to be trampling down | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2662-02 |
Matthew 5:13 | καταπατεῖσθαι | katapateisthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to be trampled down | |
G2662-04 |
Matthew 7:6 | καταπατήσουσιν | katapatesousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
they will trample down | |
G2662-05 |
Luke 8:5 | κατεπατήθη | katepatethe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
it was trodden down | was trampled down |
G2662-01 |
Luke 12:1 | καταπατεῖν | katapatein | V PRS ACT INF |
to trample | to be trampling down |
G2662-03 |
Hebrews 10:29 | καταπατήσας | katapatesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having trampled down |