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καυχάομαι

kaucháomai

G2744 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To take pride in, to boast, to express or feel a sense of exultation or confidence based on a person, achievement, relationship, or situation. While the core sense is 'to boast' or 'to glory,' καυχάομαι can be used both positively—expressing legitimate confidence or suitable pride—and negatively—implying empty boasting or self-exaltation. Context determines whether the sense is favorable (legitimate pride, rejoicing, exulting) or unfavorable (empty vaunting, arrogance).

Semantic Range

to boast, to glory, to exult (in someone or something), to take pride in, to rejoice in, to vaunt oneself, to claim as a ground for pride or confidence, to express or feel joy through association

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. The verb is of obscure origin; it does not have a clear parent word in classical Greek but is possibly related by sound or meaning to the verb κεὐχάομαι or εὔχομαι ('to pray, vow'), with a sense-shift to boasting or exulting, but direct derivation is unattested. The pre-Koine Greek root is not clearly established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Καυχάομαι appears primarily in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, with rare or no occurrences in classical literature, and is frequent in the Septuagint and New Testament. It often translates Hebrew terms for 'boasting' or 'taking pride,' especially in the Psalms, prophets, or wisdom literature, sometimes in the context of inappropriate self-glorification (cf. Jeremiah 9:23–24 LXX) and elsewhere for appropriate exultation in God or in relationships. In the New Testament, especially Paul, καυχάομαι often expresses 'spiritual boasting,' i.e., boasting in the Lord or Christ, in contrast to boasting in human status, achievement, or heritage. English versions often translate as 'boast,' 'glory,' or 'rejoice,' but the nuance is broader—ranging from celebratory exultation to inappropriate self-praise depending on context. Related nouns include καύχημα and καύχησις (boasting, pride, object of boasting). The term often carries a contextual connotation: it can mark either a proper, humble exultation or an improper, arrogant boasting.

Translation Consistency

primary "boast" 36 occurrences

'Boast' is the most common and natural English rendering of καυχάομαι in the data and in standard translations. It covers the full semantic range (to glory in, to take pride in, to exult or to vaunt oneself) while allowing context to determine positive or negative force. It yields simple, regular English forms (boast, boasts, boasted, boasting) for consistent use across all SIDANCE forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"taken pride" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from some (obsolete) base akin to that of (to boast) and εὔχομαι; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense):--(make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice.

Root Family

καυχάομαι (kaucháomai) — to boast, to take pride, to exult

Root καυχ- to boast, to take pride, to exult

Word Forms

16 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2744-07 καυχήσωμαι kauchesomai V AOR MID SUBJ 1P SG I will boast I may boast I may boast 8
G2744-04 καυχάσθω kauchastho V PRS MID IMP 3P SG let him boast let him boast let him boast 4
G2744-01 καυχᾶσαι kauchasai V PRS MID IND 2P SG boast you boast for yourself you boast for yourself 3
G2744-11 καυχώμενοι kauchomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL boasting those taking pride those boasting 3
G2744-02 καυχᾶσθαι kauchasthai V PRS MID INF to boast to take pride to boast (of oneself) 3
G2744-06 καυχήσηται kauchesetai V AOR MID SUBJ 3P SG should boast may boast may boast 2
G2744-15 καυχῶνται kauchontai V PRS MID IND 3P PL boast they boast boast 2
G2744-14 καυχώμεθα kauchometha V PRS MID IND 1P PL we glory we boast we boast 2
G2744-12 καυχώμενος kauchomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG boasts boasting boasting 2
G2744-05 καυχήσασθαι kauchesasthai V AOR MID INF to boast to boast to boast 2

Occurrences in Scripture

37 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2744-01 Romans 2:17 καυχᾶσαι kauchasai V PRS MID IND 2P SG boast you boast for yourself you boast for yourself
G2744-01 Romans 2:23 καυχᾶσαι kauchasai V PRS MID IND 2P SG boast you boast for yourself you boast for yourself
G2744-14 Romans 5:2 καυχώμεθα kauchometha V PRS MID IND 1P PL we rejoice we boast we boast
G2744-14 Romans 5:3 καυχώμεθα kauchometha V PRS MID IND 1P PL we glory we boast we boast
G2744-11 Romans 5:11 καυχώμενοι kauchomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL rejoicing those taking pride boasting
G2744-06 1 Corinthians 1:29 καυχήσηται kauchesetai V AOR MID SUBJ 3P SG should boast may boast may boast
G2744-12 1 Corinthians 1:31 καυχώμενος kauchomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG boasts boasting boasting
G2744-04 1 Corinthians 1:31 καυχάσθω kauchastho V PRS MID IMP 3P SG let him boast let him boast let him boast
G2744-04 1 Corinthians 3:21 καυχάσθω kauchastho V PRS MID IMP 3P SG boast let him boast let him boast
G2744-01 1 Corinthians 4:7 καυχᾶσαι kauchasai V PRS MID IND 2P SG do-you-boast you boast for yourself you boast for yourself
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