κατάσκοπος (G2685) — Greek Lexicon

κατάσκοπος

katáskopos

G2685 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who observes or surveys closely, especially in order to gather secret information; an agent sent to reconnoiter. Used primarily for a person dispatched to gather intelligence covertly, often regarding an enemy or rival. May connote either neutrality (an observer, scout) or hostility (a spy or infiltrator) depending on the context.

Semantic Range

spy, scout, reconnaissance agent, observer, one who gathers intelligence or information covertly or overtly, reconnoiterer

Root / Etymology

Derived from κατά (kata, meaning 'down, according to, against'—often adding an intensive or thorough force) and σκοπός (skopos, 'watcher,' 'observer' or 'lookout'). The combination expresses someone who undertakes careful or thorough observation, typically for reconnaissance. The word is a compound formation native to Greek, not a borrowing from another language.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term κατάσκοπος appears in both classical and Hellenistic Greek with the primary sense of 'spy, scout, or observer.' In the Septuagint, it regularly translates Hebrew terms for those sent to reconnoiter (e.g., the spies Moses sent into Canaan, Numbers 13), though the Greek carries a more neutral or technical connotation than modern 'spy.' In Hellenistic military contexts, a κατάσκοπος is not always covertly hostile; it can refer more broadly to an intelligence-gathering agent, scout, or envoy sent to assess terrain or fortifications. In the New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 11:31, alluding to the spies sent to Jericho), the term is understood against this background and does not necessarily carry the clandestine or treacherous associations of post-biblical 'spy.' English translations often render it as 'spy,' but this can overemphasize secrecy and duplicity compared to the original sense, which may range from neutral observer to enemy agent, depending on context. Related terms: σκοπός refers broadly to an observer or one who watches, while κατάσκοπος always denotes active investigation. The word cluster is distinct from ἐτάζω or ἐξετάζω (to examine, scrutinize), which emphasize testing or judicial inquiry rather than reconnaissance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά (intensive) and σκοπός (in the sense of a watcher); a reconnoiterer:--spy.

Root Family

σκοπ- (episképtomai) — to observe, to look at, to examine, to oversee

Root σκοπ- to watch, to observe closely, to examine

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1980	ἐπισκέπτομαι	you visited with care
G1983	ἐπισκοπέω	overseeing
G2684	κατασκοπέω	to spy out
G4648	σκοπέω	keep watching carefully
G4649	σκοπός	attentively watching one

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2685-01`	κατασκόπους	kataskopous	`N ACC M PL`	spies	reconnaissance agents	reconnaissance agents	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2685-01`	Hebrews 11:31	κατασκόπους	kataskopous	`N ACC M PL`	spies	reconnaissance agents	reconnaissance agents

← G2684 Greek Lexicon G2686 →