Lexical Summary katarithmeó: To number, to count, to reckon among Original Word: καταριθμέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance number with. From kata and arithmeo; to reckon among -- number with. see GREEK kata see GREEK arithmeo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and arithmeó Definition to number among NASB Translation counted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2674: καταριθμέωκαταριθμέω. καταρίθμω: to number with: perfect passive participle κατηριθμημένος ἐν (for Rec. σύν) ἡμῖν, was numbered among us, Acts 1:17; cf. 2 Chronicles 31:19; (Plato, politicus 266 a. etc.). Topical Lexicon Linguistic Scope The participle κατηριθμημένος (Strong’s Greek 2674) conveys the idea of being enrolled, counted, or officially included within a defined group. Its force is not merely that someone was present, but that he had been formally placed on a roster and recognized as one who shared the group’s rights, responsibilities, and identity. Occurrence and Setting The word appears once in the Greek New Testament, in Acts 1:17, within Peter’s address to about one hundred and twenty believers gathered in the upper room after the ascension of Jesus Christ. Speaking of Judas Iscariot, Peter affirms, “He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry” (Acts 1:17). The verb underscores Judas’s recognized status as one of the Twelve prior to his betrayal. Narrative Significance in Acts 1. Covenant Continuity: Acts opens by portraying the church as the true Israel of God. Showing that Judas had been “numbered” with the Twelve highlights that the full complement of apostolic witnesses (twelve men corresponding to the twelve tribes) must be restored before the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 1:20–26). Old Testament Background Being “numbered” echoes the censuses in Numbers 1 and 26, where enrollment signified covenant privilege and duty, especially military and sacrificial service. Isaiah 53:12 prophetically says the Suffering Servant “was numbered with the transgressors,” showing that counting can signify both honor and identification with sinners for redemptive purposes. Thus, Judas’s being numbered—and later replaced—connects the apostolic band with Israel’s historic patterns of covenant order. Theology of Inclusion and Responsibility To be counted among God’s people is both gift and stewardship. The New Testament consistently binds privilege to responsibility: Judas’s fate warns that outward enrollment without enduring faith leads to judgment, whereas true disciples persevere. Implications for Church Life 1. Church Membership: Just as Judas’s enrollment was public and recognized, local congregations practice formal reception of believers (Acts 2:41, Romans 16:1–2). Membership is not a mere social construct but a biblically modeled acknowledgment of covenant commitment. Pastoral Reflection Believers draw comfort knowing that God keeps an exact record of those who belong to Him (Luke 10:20, Revelation 21:27). At the same time, Judas’s example urges self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) and steadfast devotion (Hebrews 10:23–25). Ministers should preach both assurance for the truly enrolled and alarm for the merely nominal. Historical Perspective Early Christian writers such as Irenaeus and Tertullian cited Acts 1 to stress apostolic succession: the church must maintain fidelity to the original, Spirit-selected roster. Later ecclesial orders continued to keep careful lists of bishops, elders, and communicants, mirroring the biblical concern for identifiable, accountable leadership. Related New Testament Themes • Book of Life (Philippians 4:3, Revelation 20:15) – heavenly enrollment. Summary Strong’s Greek 2674, by appearing in Acts 1:17, highlights the biblical principle that God’s people are not an amorphous crowd but an identified, accountable company. To be “numbered” is to stand within the covenant community, entrusted with ministry and answerable to the Lord who knows “those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). Forms and Transliterations καταράκτας καταράκτην καταράσσειν καταραχθήσεται καταριθμουμένω καταριθμούνται καταρράκται καταρράκτας καταρράκτην καταρράκτου καταρρακτών καταρρείν καταρρήγνυται κατερραγμένους κατέρραξαν κατέρραξας κατέρραξάς κατέρρει κατερρέμβευσεν κατέρριψεν κατερρύηκεν κατερρωγότας κατηριθμημένοι κατηριθμημενος κατηριθμημένος katerithmemenos katerithmeménos katērithmēmenos katērithmēménosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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