2706. kataphroneó

Lexicon

kataphroneó: To despise, to scorn, to look down upon

Original Word: καταφρονέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kataphroneó
Pronunciation: kat-af-ron-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-af-ron-eh'-o)
Definition: To despise, to scorn, to look down upon
Meaning: I despise, scorn, and show it by active insult, disregard.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

despise.

From kata and phroneo; to think against, i.e. Disesteem -- despise.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK phroneo

HELPS Word-studies

2706 kataphronéō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," intensifying 5426 /phronéō, "regulating behavior from inner mind-set") – properly, view down, i.e. with a negative (hostile) outlook; to despise, thinking down on (thinking little of); esteem lightly, seeing as insignificant or detestable; to treat with contempt or disregard (BAGD); devalue; to depreciate (scorn); pay no regard to (because something seems of no account); " 'despise, scorn,' and show it by active insult" (Souter).

[2706 /kataphronéō (literally, "think down") refers to holding someone in contempt, deeming them unworthy and hence despised (scorned).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from kata and phroneó
Definition
to think little of
NASB Translation
despise (5), despising (1), disrespectful (1), look down (1), think lightly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2706: καταφρονέω

καταφρονέω, καταφρόνω; future καταφρονήσω; 1 aorist κατεφρόνησα; (from Herodotus down); to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of: with the genitive of the object (Buttmann, § 132, 15), Matthew 6:24; Matthew 18:10; Luke 16:13; Romans 2:4; 1 Corinthians 11:22; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:2; 2 Peter 2:10; Hebrews 12:2.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From κατά (kata, meaning "down" or "against") and φρονέω (phroneō, meaning "to think" or "to regard").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 959: בָּזָה (bazah) – to despise, to hold in contempt.
• Strong's Hebrew 5006: נָאַץ (na'ats) – to spurn, to treat with contempt.
• Strong's Hebrew 3988: מָאַס (ma'as) – to reject, to despise.

These Hebrew terms share a similar semantic range with καταφρονέω, reflecting attitudes of disdain and rejection found throughout the biblical narrative.

Usage: The verb καταφρονέω is used in the New Testament to describe an attitude of disdain or contempt towards someone or something. It often conveys a sense of superiority or disregard.

Context: The term καταφρονέω appears in several New Testament passages, illustrating a range of contexts where individuals or groups exhibit contempt or disdain. This verb is often used to describe the attitude of those who reject or belittle others, whether it be people, teachings, or divine instructions.

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus uses καταφρονέω to explain the impossibility of serving two masters, stating, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Here, καταφρονέω highlights the exclusivity of loyalty and the contempt that arises when divided allegiances are present.

In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul advises Timothy, "Let no one despise your youth," using καταφρονέω to address the potential scorn Timothy might face due to his young age. This usage underscores the importance of character and conduct over societal perceptions.

Hebrews 12:2 speaks of Jesus, "who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame," where καταφρονέω is translated as "scorning." This passage emphasizes Jesus' disregard for the shame associated with crucifixion, focusing instead on the redemptive purpose of His sacrifice.

The verb καταφρονέω thus serves as a powerful descriptor of attitudes that reject, belittle, or hold in contempt, often contrasting human pride with divine humility and purpose.

Forms and Transliterations

καταφρονεί καταφρόνει καταφρονεις καταφρονείς καταφρονεῖς καταφρονειτε καταφρονείτε καταφρονεῖτε καταφρονειτω καταφρονείτω καταφρονειτωσαν καταφρονείτωσαν καταφρονηθήσεται καταφρονησας καταφρονήσας καταφρονησει καταφρονήσει καταφρονησητε καταφρονήσητε καταφρονουντας καταφρονούντας καταφρονοῦντας καταφρονούντων καταφρονών κατεφρόνησάν κατεφρόνησας κατεφρόνουν kataphroneis kataphroneîs kataphroneite kataphroneîte kataphroneito kataphroneitō kataphroneíto kataphroneítō kataphroneitosan kataphroneitōsan kataphroneítosan kataphroneítōsan kataphronesas kataphronēsas kataphronḗsas kataphronesei kataphronēsei kataphronḗsei kataphronesete kataphronēsēte kataphronḗsete kataphronḗsēte kataphronountas kataphronoûntas

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 6:24 V-FIA-3S
GRK: τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει οὐ δύνασθε
NAS: to one and despise the other.
KJV: and despise the other.
INT: the other he will despise not You are able

Matthew 18:10 V-ASA-2P
GRK: Ὁρᾶτε μὴ καταφρονήσητε ἑνὸς τῶν
NAS: See that you do not despise one
KJV: Take heed that ye despise not one
INT: See not you despise one of the

Luke 16:13 V-FIA-3S
GRK: τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει οὐ δύνασθε
NAS: to one and despise the other.
KJV: and despise the other.
INT: the other he will despise not you are able

Romans 2:4 V-PIA-2S
GRK: τῆς μακροθυμίας καταφρονεῖς ἀγνοῶν ὅτι
NAS: Or do you think lightly of the riches
KJV: Or despisest thou the riches of his
INT: the patience despise you not knowing that

1 Corinthians 11:22 V-PIA-2P
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ καταφρονεῖτε καὶ καταισχύνετε
NAS: Or do you despise the church
KJV: in? or despise ye the church of God,
INT: of God do you despise and put to shame

1 Timothy 4:12 V-PMA-3S
GRK: τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω ἀλλὰ τύπος
NAS: Let no one look down on your youthfulness,
KJV: Let no man despise thy youth;
INT: youth let despise but a pattern

1 Timothy 6:2 V-PMA-3P
GRK: δεσπότας μὴ καταφρονείτωσαν ὅτι ἀδελφοί
NAS: as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because
KJV: not despise [them], because
INT: masters not let them despise [them] because brothers

Hebrews 12:2 V-APA-NMS
GRK: σταυρὸν αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας ἐν δεξιᾷ
NAS: the cross, despising the shame,
KJV: the cross, despising the shame,
INT: [the] cross [the] shame having despised at right hand

2 Peter 2:10 V-PPA-AMP
GRK: καὶ κυριότητος καταφρονοῦντας τολμηταί αὐθάδεις
NAS: desires and despise authority.
KJV: and despise government.
INT: and authority despise [They are] daring self-willed

Strong's Greek 2706
9 Occurrences

καταφρονήσας — 1 Occ.
καταφρονήσητε — 1 Occ.
καταφρονήσει — 2 Occ.
καταφρονεῖς — 1 Occ.
καταφρονεῖτε — 1 Occ.
καταφρονείτω — 1 Occ.
καταφρονείτωσαν — 1 Occ.
καταφρονοῦντας — 1 Occ.