κατισχύω
katischýō
G2729 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become strong against, to overpower, to exert superior strength; in context, to prevail over, gain mastery over, or prove stronger than someone or something. Depending on usage, may denote overcoming resistance, defeating an opponent, or maintaining strength so as not to be overcome.
Semantic Range
to overpower, to prevail (against), to overcome, to gain mastery over, to prove stronger than, to maintain strength and not be overcome
Root / Etymology
Formed from the prepositional prefix κατα- (kata-, meaning 'against, down') and the verb ἰσχύω (ischýō, meaning 'to be strong, to have power'). The compound emphasizes exerting strength against someone or something, often with a sense of overcoming or suppressing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Classically, the simplex ἰσχύω means 'to be strong' or 'to have strength.' The compound κατισχύω intensifies this with the preposition κατα-, signifying not merely possessing strength but directing it against an obstacle or adversary in order to prevail or subdue. In Hellenistic Greek, including the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 16:18), κατισχύω is used to describe prevailing, overcoming, or being victorious over opposition. In the Septuagint, parallels occur where the meaning closely matches 'to overpower' or 'to prove the stronger.' Standard English translations like 'prevail (against)' capture the adversarial sense but may underplay the nuance of strength specifically directed against opposition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and ἰσχύω; to overpower:--prevail (against).
Root Family
κατισχύω (katischýō) — to be strong, to have strength, to overcome, to overpower
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2729-03 |
κατισχύσουσιν | katischusousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
they will overpower | 1 | |
G2729-02 |
κατισχύσητε | katischusete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you may have strength | you may overpower | 1 |
G2729-01 |
κατίσχυον | katischuon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
prevailed | they were overpowering | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2729-03 |
Matthew 16:18 | κατισχύσουσιν | katischusousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
they will overpower | |
G2729-02 |
Luke 21:36 | κατισχύσητε | katischusete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you may have strength | you may overpower |
G2729-01 |
Luke 23:23 | κατίσχυον | katischuon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
prevailed | they were overpowering |