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κατήγορος

katḗgoros

G2725 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily, one who brings a formal charge or accusation against another, typically in a legal or judicial setting; an accuser or prosecutor. In wider contexts, refers to anyone acting as an adversarial witness, presenting allegations or accusations, whether formally in a court or informally in an assembly. Used metaphorically for a spiritual adversary, especially in certain New Testament texts.

Semantic Range

accuser, prosecutor, adversarial witness, someone bringing legal charges; metaphorically, spiritual adversary (e.g., Satan)

Root / Etymology

From κατά ('against') and ἀγορά ('assembly, public place'), i.e., properly 'one who speaks against someone in an assembly or court.' The formation suggests an official role in legal proceedings.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κατήγορος denotes one who prosecutes or brings an accusation, especially in public or judicial assemblies (e.g., the Athenian courts). The term carries the sense of legal action, distinct from informal slander or gossip. In Hellenistic and Roman-era Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the term retains this legal sense—one who formally reports or denounces another before authority. In Acts and Revelation, κατήγορος refers to human prosecutors; however, Revelation applies it metaphorically to the spiritual adversary (often rendered 'Satan'), as the one accusing the 'brethren.' English translations often render the word as 'accuser,' but this can obscure its technical, legal context and its use in ancient Greek society for someone fulfilling an official, public role in the assembly or before the authorities. The term does not inherently bear negative moral connotation in classical contexts—rather, it designates a judicial function. By the New Testament period, the word is still used in this technical sense but may also carry negative connotations when used metaphorically for spiritual opposition.

Translation Consistency

primary "accuser" 6 occurrences

κατήγορος primarily means one who brings a charge or accusation—an accuser or prosecutor—and the attested SILEX forms overwhelmingly use 'accuser.' 'Accuser' is both natural English and broad enough to cover formal legal roles (prosecutor) and metaphorical uses (spiritual adversary), so it best preserves the typical sense across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and ἀγορά; against one in the assembly, i.e. a complainant at law; specially, Satan:--accuser.

Root Family

κατήγορος (katēgoros) — accuser, prosecutor, one who speaks against in assembly

Root κατηγορη- to accuse, to speak against

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2725-01 κατήγοροί kategoroi N NOM M PL accusers formal accusers accusers 2
G2725-04 κατηγόρους kategorous N ACC M PL accusers accusers accusers 2
G2725-02 κατηγόροις kategorois N DAT M PL accusers to accusers accusers 1
G2725-03 κατήγορος kategoros N NOM M SG accuser accuser accuser 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2725-02 Acts 23:30 κατηγόροις kategorois N DAT M PL accusers to accusers accusers
G2725-01 Acts 23:35 κατήγοροί kategoroi N NOM M PL accusers formal accusers accusers
G2725-04 Acts 24:8 κατηγόρους kategorous N ACC M PL accusers accusers accusers
G2725-04 Acts 25:16 κατηγόρους kategorous N ACC M PL accusers accusers accusers
G2725-01 Acts 25:18 κατήγοροι kategoroi N NOM M PL accusers formal accusers accusers
G2725-03 Revelation 12:10 κατήγορος kategoros N NOM M SG accuser accuser accuser
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