κατέχω
katéchō
G2722 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To hold fast or firmly, to keep possession of, to restrain or suppress. In various contexts, it can mean to physically hold or seize, to retain in memory, to prevent or hinder, or to keep possession or control over something. The word may also be applied in abstract contexts (e.g., holding on to truth, suppressing information, or restraining actions or persons).
Semantic Range
to hold fast, to retain, to seize, to keep in memory, to restrain, to suppress, to detain, to possess, to withhold, to keep control of, to steer or guide (a ship)
Root / Etymology
From the preposition κατά ('down, against, according to') and the verb ἔχω ('to have, hold'); literally 'to hold down' or 'to have against'. Compound verb formation is typical in Koine for intensification or specification of nuance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κατέχω is attested with the basic meaning 'to hold fast','restrain','detain'. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, its range expanded to include keeping in memory (e.g., retaining teaching or information), as well as preventing or withholding (e.g., in contexts of restraining evil or suppressing truth; see Romans 1:18, where it often carries the nuance of 'to suppress'). In maritime language (Acts 27:40) it can refer to steering or holding a ship's course. The Septuagint uses the term for both physical restraint and mental retention. In the New Testament, κατέχω often has the sense of not merely passive possession but active, maintained control—whether of a physical object, a concept, or a person. English translations sometimes flatten this range to 'hold' or 'possess', but the verb's nuance often involves active restraint, suppression, or continued possession.
Translation Consistency
"Hold" is the most natural, common English verb that covers the primary senses of κατέχω—physically grasping or seizing, retaining or keeping possession, restraining or suppressing, and holding in memory. It matches the dominant P2 renderings and yields consistent, idiomatic English across the word’s physical and abstract uses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and ἔχω; to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively):--have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.
Root Family
κατέχω (katechō) — to hold, to possess, to restrain
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2722-03 |
κατέχετε | katechete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
hold fast | you hold fast | you hold fast | 3 |
G2722-11 |
κατεῖχον | kateichon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they held | they were holding fast | they held | 2 |
G2722-01 |
κατάσχωμεν | kataschomen | V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
we hold fast | let us hold fast | let us hold fast | 2 |
G2722-06 |
κατέχοντες | katechontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
possessing | holding fast | holding fast | 2 |
G2722-02 |
κατέχειν | katechein | V PRS ACT INF |
to hold | to hold fast | to hold fast | 2 |
G2722-05 |
κατέχον | katechon | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N SG |
restrains | holding fast | holding fast | 2 |
G2722-07 |
κατεχόντων | katechonton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
who hold | of those holding fast | holding back | 1 |
G2722-08 |
κατέχουσιν | katechousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
hold fast | they hold fast | they hold fast | 1 |
G2722-04 |
κατέχωμεν | katechomen | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
let us hold fast | let us hold fast | let us hold fast | 1 |
G2722-10 |
κατειχόμεθα | kateichometha | V IMPF PASS IND 1P PL |
we were held | we were being held down | we were being held down | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
18 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2722-11 |
Luke 4:42 | κατεῖχον | kateichon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they tried to keep | they were holding fast | they were holding fast |
G2722-08 |
Luke 8:15 | κατέχουσιν | katechousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
hold fast | they hold fast | they hold fast |
G2722-02 |
Luke 14:9 | κατέχειν | katechein | V PRS ACT INF |
to hold | to hold fast | to hold fast |
G2722-09 |
John 5:4 | κατείχετο | kateicheto | V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG |
was afflicted | was being held fast | was being held fast |
G2722-11 |
Acts 27:40 | κατεῖχον | kateichon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they held | they were holding fast | they held |
G2722-07 |
Romans 1:18 | κατεχόντων | katechonton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
who hold | of those holding fast | holding back |
G2722-10 |
Romans 7:6 | κατειχόμεθα | kateichometha | V IMPF PASS IND 1P PL |
we were held | we were being held down | we were being held down |
G2722-06 |
1 Corinthians 7:30 | κατέχοντες | katechontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
possessing | holding fast | holding fast |
G2722-03 |
1 Corinthians 11:2 | κατέχετε | katechete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you hold | you hold fast | you hold fast |
G2722-03 |
1 Corinthians 15:2 | κατέχετε | katechete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you hold fast | you hold fast | you hold fast |