2508. kathairó

Lexicon

kathairó: To cleanse, to purify, to prune

Original Word: καθαίρω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kathairó
Pronunciation: kath-ah-ee'-ro
Phonetic Spelling: (kath-ah'-ee-ro)
Definition: To cleanse, to purify, to prune
Meaning: I cleanse, purify, prune.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

purge.

From katharos; to cleanse, i.e. (specially) to prune; figuratively, to expiate -- purge.

see GREEK katharos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2508 kathaírō – make clean by purging (removing undesirable elements); hence, "pruned (purged)"; eliminating what is fruitless by purifying (making unmixed). See 2513 (katharos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from katharos
Definition
to cleanse
NASB Translation
prunes (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2508: καθαίρω

καθαίρω; perfect passive participle κεκαθαρμενος; (καθαρός); to cleanse, properly, from filth, impurity, etc.; trees and vines (from useless shoots), to prune, John 15:2 (δένδρα ... ὑποτεμνομενα καθαίρεται, Philo de agric. § 2 (cf. de somniis ii. § 9 middle)); metaphorically, from guilt, to expiate: passive Hebrews 10:2 R G (see καθαρίζω, at the beginning) (Jeremiah 13:27; and so in Greek writings from Herodotus down). (Compare: διακαθαίρω, ἐκκαθαίρω.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a root word meaning "to cleanse" or "to purify."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H2891 טָהֵר (taher): To be clean, to cleanse, purify.
• H2135 זָכָה (zakah): To be clear, clean, pure.
• H1305 בָּחַן (bachan): To test, try, examine, purify.

These Hebrew terms reflect similar themes of cleansing and purification, emphasizing the importance of purity in one's relationship with God. The use of καθαίρω in the New Testament continues this tradition, highlighting the necessity of spiritual cleansing for growth and fruitfulness in the Christian life.

Usage: The verb καθαίρω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of cleansing or purifying, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. It is often associated with spiritual purification or the removal of sin.

Context: The Greek verb καθαίρω appears in the New Testament primarily in contexts related to purification and pruning. In John 15:2, Jesus uses the term in the metaphor of the vine and branches: "He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, to make it even more fruitful." Here, καθαίρω is translated as "prunes," indicating the process of removing superfluous or harmful elements to promote growth and fruitfulness.

The concept of καθαίρω extends beyond agriculture to spiritual and moral purification. It reflects the transformative process believers undergo to become more aligned with divine will and purpose. This purification is not merely external but involves an internal cleansing of the heart and mind, aligning with the broader biblical theme of holiness and sanctification.

In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, καθαίρω is used to translate various Hebrew terms related to cleansing and purification, often in the context of ritual purity. This connection underscores the continuity between the Old and New Testament themes of purity and the necessity of being cleansed to stand in the presence of God.

Forms and Transliterations

εκάθαιρε καθαιρει καθαίρει καθαιρείται κεκαθαρμένους kathairei kathaírei

Englishman's Concordance

John 15:2 V-PIA-3S
GRK: καρπὸν φέρον καθαίρει αὐτὸ ἵνα
NAS: fruit, He prunes it so
KJV: fruit, he purgeth it,
INT: fruit bears he prunes it that

Strong's Greek 2508
1 Occurrence

καθαίρει — 1 Occ.