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κατηγορέω

katēgoréō

G2723 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To publicly assert, charge, or bring a formal accusation against someone, especially in a legal or judicial setting. The term is used primarily for making statements of wrongdoing before authorities or in a court context, but can also refer more broadly to speaking against or denouncing someone in a formal capacity.

Semantic Range

to accuse formally (in court or before authorities), to charge with an offense, to denounce publicly, to act as prosecutor, to bring a legal claim

Root / Etymology

From κατήγορος (prosecutor, accuser), which itself comes from κατά (against) and ἀγορά (assembly, marketplace), referring to someone who speaks against another, especially in public or judicial contexts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κατηγορέω regularly appears in forensic or rhetorical contexts, meaning to make or present an accusation in a legal assembly or public setting. The term is closely associated with official or public charges, typically in front of authorities or an audience, rather than informal or private slander. In Hellenistic Greek and the New Testament, the word usually refers to formal accusations, often before governors, councils, or synagogues. The semantic nuance of publicly charging with wrongdoing is contrasted with διαβάλλω, which can carry the connotation of slander or maligning. In the Septuagint and New Testament, κατηγορέω is consistently used of those making formal, legal accusations against individuals, as seen in trial narratives. English translations often render the word as 'accuse' or 'make accusations,' but the term may lose the formality and public/legal aspect in such renderings. Its focus is on the act of charging, not necessarily its truth or fairness.

Translation Consistency

primary "accuse" 22 occurrences

κατηγορέω primarily means to bring a formal or public accusation, denounce, or act as prosecutor. “Accuse” is the most natural, common English verb that captures the judicial/formal sense and fits typical New Testament usage better than alternatives like “charge” or “denounce.” It is clear, concise, and will produce natural-sounding inflected forms across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατήγορος; to be a plaintiff, i.e. to charge with some offence:--accuse, object.

Root Family

κατηγορέω (katēgoreō) — to publicly speak against, to accuse, to make a formal charge

Root κατηγορ- to publicly speak against, to accuse, to make an accusation

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2723-01 κατηγορεῖν kategorein V PRS ACT INF to accuse to publicly accuse to publicly accuse 5
G2723-14 κατηγοροῦσιν kategorousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they accuse they are formally accusing they are formally accusing 3
G2723-08 κατηγορῶν kategoron V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG who accuses one formally accusing one formally accusing 2
G2723-07 κατηγορήσωσιν kategoresosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL they might accuse they might formally accuse they might formally accuse 2
G2723-09 κατηγοροῦμεν kategoroumen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL accuse we formally accuse we formally accuse 1
G2723-05 κατηγορείτωσαν kategoreitosan V PRS ACT IMP 3P PL let them accuse let them publicly accuse let them accuse 1
G2723-02 κατηγορεῖσθαι kategoreisthai V PRS PASS INF being accused to be formally accused to be formally accused 1
G2723-13 κατηγορούντων kategorounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL accusing of those formally accusing formally accusing 1
G2723-04 κατηγορεῖτε kategoreite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL you accuse you publicly accuse you accuse 1
G2723-11 κατηγόρουν kategoroun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were accusing they were bringing charges they were accusing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2723-07 Matthew 12:10 κατηγορήσωσιν kategoresosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL they might accuse they might formally accuse they might formally accuse
G2723-02 Matthew 27:12 κατηγορεῖσθαι kategoreisthai V PRS PASS INF being accused to be formally accused to be formally accused
G2723-07 Mark 3:2 κατηγορήσωσιν kategoresosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL they might accuse they might formally accuse they might formally accuse
G2723-11 Mark 15:3 κατηγόρουν kategoroun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were accusing they were bringing charges they were accusing
G2723-14 Mark 15:4 κατηγοροῦσιν kategorousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they accuse they are formally accusing they are formally accusing
G2723-01 Luke 6:7 κατηγορεῖν kategorein V PRS ACT INF accuse to publicly accuse to publicly accuse
G2723-01 Luke 23:2 κατηγορεῖν kategorein V PRS ACT INF to accuse to publicly accuse to publicly accuse
G2723-12 Luke 23:10 κατηγοροῦντες kategorountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL accusing formally accusing formally accusing
G2723-04 Luke 23:14 κατηγορεῖτε kategoreite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL you accuse you publicly accuse you accuse
G2723-06 John 5:45 κατηγορήσω kategoreso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG will accuse I will formally accuse will formally accuse
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