Lexical Summary kathaireó: To take down, to destroy, to demolish, to dethrone Original Word: καθαιρέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cast down, destroy. From kata and haireomai (including its alternate); to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively) -- cast (pull, put, take) down, destroy. see GREEK kata see GREEK haireomai HELPS Word-studies 2507 kathairéō (from 2596 /katá, "down" and 138 /hairéomai, "to choose, make one's own") – properly, take down for oneself ("take for oneself"), i.e. forcibly yank down; destroy, leaving nothing "standing" or even in good working order; cast down. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and haireó Definition to take down, pull down NASB Translation brought down (1), destroyed (1), destroying (1), dethroned (1), take...down (1), tear down (1), took...down (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2507: καθαιρέωκαθαιρέω, καθαίρω; future καθελῶ (Luke 12:18 (see ἀφαιρέω, at the beginning)); 2 aorist καθεῖλον (from the obsolete έ῾λω); present passive καθαιροῦμαι; from Homer down; the Sept. for הורִיד, to cause to go down; הָרַס, נָתַץ, פָּרַץ; 1. to take down: without the notion of violence, τινα, to detach from the cross one crucified, Mark 15:36, 46; Luke 23:53 (Polybius 1, 86, 6; Philo in Flacc. § 10); τινα ἀπό τοῦ ξύλου, Acts 13:23 (the Sept. Joshua 8:29; Joshua 10:27); with the use of force, to throw down, cast down: τινα ἀπό θρόνου, Luke 1:52. 2. to pull down, demolish: τάς ἀποθήκας, opposed to οἰκοδομεῖν, Luke 12:18; λογισμούς, the (subtle) reasonings (of opponents) likened to fortresses, equivalent to to refute, 2 Corinthians 10:4 (5); to destroy, ἔθνη, Acts 13:19 (Jeremiah 24:6; Thucydides 1, 4; Aelian v. h. 2, 25); τήν μεγαλειότητα τίνος, Acts 19:27, where if preference is given (with L T Tr WH) to the reading τῆς μεγαλειότητος αὐτῆς, it must be taken as a partitive genitive somewhat of her magnificence; cf. Buttmann, 158 (138) note (so Meyer; cf. Xenophon, Hell. 4, 4, 13. Al. translate that she should even be deposed from her magnificence; cf. Winers Grammar, § 30, 6; Buttmann, § 132, 5). Strong’s Greek 2507 appears nine times, spanning Gospel narrative, apostolic history, and epistolary exhortation. In every setting it conveys decisive removal—whether political powers, physical bodies, pagan idols, or ideological fortresses—highlighting God’s ability to topple whatever opposes His redemptive purpose. Divine Reversals and Kingdom Ethics (Luke 1:52; Luke 12:18) • Luke 1:52 places the verb on Mary’s lips: “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has exalted the humble.” The Magnificat celebrates the Messiah as covenant-Keeper who dismantles oppressive structures and elevates the lowly. Christ’s Passion and Burial (Mark 15:36; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53) • Mockers challenge Jesus’ claim of temple rebuilding: “Leave Him alone. Let us see whether Elijah comes to take Him down” (Mark 15:36). Ironically, no rescue occurs; the true “taking down” follows in Joseph of Arimathea’s reverent act (Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53). From Conquest to Covenant (Acts 13:19; Acts 13:29; Acts 19:27) • Paul recounts Israel’s entry into Canaan: God “overthrew seven nations in the land of Canaan” (Acts 13:19). The same Lord who once cast down Gentile kingdoms now invites all nations to salvation through the risen Christ (Acts 13:38-39). Demolishing Ideological Strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:5) Paul shifts the imagery from physical structures to intellectual fortresses: “We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God.” Spiritual warfare is conducted through truth proclaimed in dependence on divine power, not rhetorical flair. The same verb that removes idols and rulers now pulverizes proud reasonings, capturing every thought for Christ. Historical and Cultural Background Hellenistic cities often celebrated civic pride in monumental architecture, statues of emperors, and patron deities. To “take down” such symbols was no mere renovation but an overt statement of new authority. The New Testament writers capitalize on that resonance, portraying the gospel as the ultimate regime change—first in the heart, finally in the cosmos. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. God actively intervenes to humble the mighty and exalt the lowly; social, political, and spiritual orders are never autonomous. Practical Applications for the Church • Worship: Celebrate God’s past “overthrows” as assurance of His future victories. The verb’s ninefold witness calls believers to confidence: the same Lord who once toppled Canaanite kingdoms, deposed earthly rulers, and disarmed the grave now empowers His church to demolish every obstacle to the knowledge of God until the day He makes all things new. Englishman's Concordance Mark 15:36 V-ANAGRK: ἔρχεται Ἠλίας καθελεῖν αὐτόν NAS: Elijah will come to take Him down. KJV: to take him down. INT: comes Elijah to take down him Mark 15:46 V-APA-NMS Luke 1:52 V-AIA-3S Luke 12:18 V-FIA-1S Luke 23:53 V-APA-NMS Acts 13:19 V-APA-NMS Acts 13:29 V-APA-NMP Acts 19:27 V-PNM/P 2 Corinthians 10:5 V-PPA-NMP Strong's Greek 2507 |
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