Strong's Lexicon katalambanó: To seize, to grasp, to comprehend, to overtake Original Word: καταλαμβάνω Word Origin: From κατά (kata, meaning "down" or "against") and λαμβάνω (lambanó, meaning "to take" or "to receive") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "katalambanó," similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words like תָּפַשׂ (taphas, Strong's H8610), meaning "to seize" or "to capture," and בִּין (bin, Strong's H995), meaning "to understand" or "to discern." Usage: The Greek verb "katalambanó" carries the idea of seizing or taking hold of something, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. It can mean to physically apprehend or capture, as well as to mentally grasp or understand a concept. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the act of comprehending spiritual truths or the inability of darkness to overcome the light. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of "katalambanó" would have been understood in various contexts, from military conquests to philosophical understanding. The term implies a decisive action, whether it be capturing a city or grasping a profound truth. In the New Testament, this word is used to convey the power and authority of Christ's light and truth over darkness and ignorance. HELPS Word-studies 2638 katalambánō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," which intensifies 2983 /lambánō, "aggressively take") – properly, take hold of exactly, with decisive initiative (eager self-interest); to grasp something in a forceful (firm) manner; (figuratively) to apprehend (comprehend), "making it one's own." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and lambanó Definition to lay hold of, seize NASB Translation attained (1), caught (2), comprehend (2), found (1), laid hold (2), lay hold (1), overtake (2), seizes (1), understand (1), understood (1), win (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2638: καταλαμβάνωκαταλαμβάνω: 2 aorist κατέλαβον; perfect infinitive κατειληφέναι; passive, perfect 3 person singular κατείληπται (John 8:4 as given in L T Tr WH text), perfect participle κατειλημμένος; 1 aorist κατειληφθην (John 8:4 Rst bez elz G) (on the augment cf. Winer's Grammar, § 12, 6), and κατελήφθην (Philippians 3:12 R G), and κατελήμφθην (ibid. L T Tr WH; on the mu μ' see under the word Mu); middle, present καταλαμβάνομαι; 2 aorist κατελαβόμην; cf. Kühner, i., p. 856; (Veitch, under the word λαμβάνω); the Sept. for הִשִּׂיג, לָכַד, also for מָצָא, etc.; (from Homer down); to lay hold of; i. e.: 1. to lay hold of so as to make one's own, to obtain, attain to: with the accusative of the thing; the prize of victory, 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:12f; τήν δικαιοσύνην, Romans 9:30; equivalent to to make one's own, to take into oneself, appropriate: ἡ σκοτία αὐτό (i. e. τό φῶς) οὐ κατέλαβεν, John 1:5. 2. to seize upon, take possession of (Latinoccupare); a. of evils overtaking one (so in Greek writings from Homer down): τινα σκοτία, John 12:35; (so physically, John 6:17 Tdf.); of the last day overtaking the wicked with destruction, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; of a demon about to torment one, Mark 9:18. b. in a good sense, of Christ by his holy power and influence laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it, Philippians 3:12. 3. to detect, catch: τινα ἐν τίνι, in passive John 8:3 (WH ἐπί τίνι); with a participle indicating the crime, John 8:4. 4. to lay hold of with the mind; to understand, perceive, learn, comprehend (Plato, Phaedr., p. 250d.; Axioch., p. 370a.; Polybius 8, 4, 6; Philo, vita contempl. § 10; Dionysius Halicarnassus, Antiquities 5, 46); middle (Dionysius Halicarnassus, Antiquities 2, 66; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 253 (238))), followed by ὅτι, Acts 4:13; Acts 10:34; followed by the accusative with an infinitive, Acts 25:25; followed by indirect discourse, Ephesians 3:18. From kata and lambano; to take eagerly, i.e. Seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively) -- apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over-)take. see GREEK kata see GREEK lambano Englishman's Concordance Mark 9:18 V-ASA-3SGRK: ἐὰν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ ῥήσσει αὐτόν NAS: and whenever it seizes him, it slams KJV: wheresoever he taketh him, INT: if him it seizes it throws down him John 1:5 V-AIA-3S John 8:3 V-RPM/P-AFS John 8:4 V-RIM/P-3S John 12:35 V-ASA-3S Acts 4:13 V-APM-NMP Acts 10:34 V-PIM-1S Acts 25:25 V-AIM-1S Romans 9:30 V-AIA-3S 1 Corinthians 9:24 V-ASA-2P Ephesians 3:18 V-ANM Philippians 3:12 V-ASA-1S Philippians 3:12 V-AIP-1S Philippians 3:13 V-RNA 1 Thessalonians 5:4 V-ASA-3S Strong's Greek 2638 |
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