παρακαθίζω (G3869) — Greek Lexicon

παρακαθίζω

parakathízō

G3869 verb

SILEX Entry

Root παρα-καθίζ- to sit, to seat oneself, to be beside

Definition

to sit down beside, to take a seat near someone or something. In various contexts, it can mean either to take a seat in close proximity to another person, or to position oneself beside an object or within a set place.

Semantic Range

to sit down beside, to seat oneself near, to take a position close to, to be physically present alongside

Root / Etymology

Compound of παρά (beside, near) and καθίζω (to sit, to cause to sit); literally, 'to sit beside' or 'to set oneself beside.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, παρακαθίζω most often refers to the act of sitting down next to or near another person, implying a physical closeness or intentional positioning. The term is quite rare in extant Greek literature and occurs only a handful of times, typically in narrative contexts. In the New Testament (Luke 10:39), it describes Mary sitting near (παρακαθίσασα) Jesus, emphasizing proximity and engagement. The word carries no inherent religious or ceremonial connotation—it is a neutral term of physical positioning. Classical usage is extremely limited, and the term largely appears in later Greek, with the Septuagint and New Testament as primary sources. Most English translations simply render it as 'sat at' or 'sat by,' which may not fully convey the nuance of deliberate nearness or attentive posture that is implied by the prepositional prefix παρά. Alternate Greek terms for sitting (e.g., καθίζω, καθέζομαι) lack the explicit emphasis on location or relationship indicated by παρακαθίζω.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and καθίζω; to sit down near:--sit.

Root Family

παρακαθίζω (parakathizō) — to sit beside, to seat oneself near, to be alongside

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G3869-01`	παρακαθεσθεῖσα	parakathestheisa	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	sat	having been seated beside	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G3869-01`	Luke 10:39	παρακαθεσθεῖσα	parakathestheisa	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	sat	having been seated beside

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