κατεφίστημι
katephístēmi
G2721 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To rise up against, to attack or assail someone with force or hostile intent (often with the nuance of sudden or organized opposition), particularly used for collective action against authority or a person in a position of power. By extension, to incite or carry out an assault or insurrection.
Semantic Range
to attack, to assault, to rise up against, to make insurrection against, to set upon, to rush upon, to cause hostile action
Root / Etymology
From the prepositional prefix κατά ('down, against') and the verb ἐφίστημι ('to stand upon, approach, set upon'). The compound emphasizes hostile approach or action directed against someone or something.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, κατεφίστημι typically appears in contexts of collective opposition, often referring to violent uprising, physical assault, or organized rebellion. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 18:12), it describes a situation where a group acts together in opposition or attack against a person, such as a public official or authority. The semantic idea of 'making insurrection' is closely tied to the word's typical context rather than being an inherent, technical legal term for 'insurrection.' Classical usage is rare, but the compound's meaning is clear from its parts and context; the LXX has limited if any attestation. English translations often use phrases like 'make insurrection against' or 'rise up against,' which capture the hostile, oppositional nature but may obscure the nuance of group action or physical assault.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and ἐφίστημι; to stand over against, i.e. rush upon (assault):--make insurrection against.
Root Family
κατεφίστημι (katephistēmi) — stand, set, place; rise up against, attack, make insurrection
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2721-01 |
κατεπέστησαν | katepestesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
made-insurrection | they rose up against | they rose up against | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2721-01 |
Acts 18:12 | κατεπέστησαν | katepestesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
made-insurrection | they rose up against | they rose up against |