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κατασοφίζομαι

katasophízomai

G2686 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To act cleverly or devise with cunning against someone; specifically, to scheme, plot, or deal craftily with another, often with the intent to outwit or deceive. Used especially in contexts where strategic or underhanded planning is directed toward another party. Broader semantic sense may include acting with shrewdness or employing subtlety to accomplish a goal, typically with a negative or adversarial implication.

Semantic Range

to scheme craftily against, to act shrewdly or cunningly against others, to plot or devise with cunning, to deal subtilely with or outwit (usually in an adversarial sense)

Root / Etymology

From the prefix κατα- (kata-, 'down, against, according to') combined with σοφίζω (sophizō, 'to make wise, to devise cleverly, to contrive'). The word is a middle voice verb, signifying the subject's involvement or interest in the action. The simplex verb σοφίζω comes from σοφός ('wise, skilled').

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in Hellenistic and later Greek, including the Septuagint (e.g., Exodus 1:10) to describe the actions of Pharaoh dealing 'craftily' with the Israelites. The term carries a strong connotation of strategizing against or outwitting an opponent rather than simply acting wisely. In contrast to σοφία (wisdom) which can be neutral or positive, κατασοφίζομαι generally has a negative, adversarial overtone. English translations often render it 'deal subtilly with', 'outwit', or 'act craftily', but these may not capture the sense of adversarial plotting. In classical Greek, the simplex verb is used for the devising of clever strategies or tricks, and the compound form with κατα- intensifies the notion, signaling the action is directed against someone or something. The word is rare in extant Greek literature, found mainly in biblical and related Jewish-Greek texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from κατά and σοφίζω; to be crafty against, i.e. circumvent:--deal subtilly with.

Root Family

κατασοφίζομαι (katasophizomai) — to devise cleverly, to scheme craftily, to contrive against

Root σοφ- to be wise, to devise cleverly, to contrive

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2686-01 κατασοφισάμενος katasophisamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG having dealt craftily having schemed craftily against having dealt craftily against 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2686-01 Acts 7:19 κατασοφισάμενος katasophisamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG having dealt craftily having schemed craftily against having dealt craftily against
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