← G2712 G2714 →

κατέναντι

katénanti

G2713 preposition

SILEX Entry

Definition

Used as a preposition or adverb, marking position that is directly facing, opposite, or in front of something or someone. Its primary sense is 'opposite to,' denoting spatial, figurative, or relational juxtaposition. In various contexts, it can refer to being situated before or confronted with (a person, object, or event), or placing something openly and unmistakably in view.

Semantic Range

opposite to, facing, in front of, before, directly across from, over against, openly in view of

Root / Etymology

Formed from the prepositional prefix κατά ('down, according to') and ἔναντι ('opposite, facing'). The expression reinforces the sense of facing directly or positioned opposite. No evidence for non-Greek origin; standard compositional derivation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, κατέναντι is primarily spatial, denoting direct opposition or location opposite an object or person (e.g., 'opposite the temple'). In the Septuagint, it often renders Hebrew constructions indicating facing or before something, such as נֹכַח (nokhach). In the New Testament, usage is rare but retains this sense of direct confrontation or being visibly before someone or something (e.g., Mark 11:2, 'opposite you'). English translations sometimes choose 'before,' 'in front of,' or 'over against'; however, 'before' may not always capture the spatial sense of contrast or opposition. The term does not inherently carry a hostile or adversarial meaning; its primary force is locative and orientational. Related terms: ἔναντι, meaning 'before, in the sight of,' sometimes with a broader or more abstract sense than the spatially precise κατέναντι. In later Koine, the expression persists with spatial but sometimes extended metaphorical meaning (e.g., facing circumstances or events directly).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and ἔναντι; directly opposite:--before, over against.

Root Family

κατέναντι (katénanti) — to face, to be opposite, to confront

Root ναντ- to face, to be opposite, to confront

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2713-01 κατέναντι katenanti PREP GEN opposite directly opposite to directly opposite to 8

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2713-01 Matthew 21:2 κατέναντι katenanti PREP GEN opposite directly opposite to opposite
G2713-01 Mark 11:2 κατέναντι katenanti PREP GEN opposite directly opposite to opposite
G2713-01 Mark 12:41 κατέναντι katenanti PREP GEN opposite directly opposite to directly opposite to
G2713-01 Mark 13:3 κατέναντι katenanti PREP GEN opposite directly opposite to opposite
G2713-01 Luke 19:30 κατέναντι katenanti ADV over against directly opposite to directly opposite
G2713-01 Romans 4:17 κατέναντι katenanti PREP GEN before directly opposite to directly opposite to
G2713-01 2 Corinthians 2:17 κατέναντι katenanti PREP GEN in the sight of directly opposite to directly opposite to
G2713-01 2 Corinthians 12:19 κατέναντι katenanti PREP GEN before directly opposite to before
← G2712 Greek Lexicon G2714 →