2727. katécheó

Lexicon

katécheó: To instruct, to teach, to inform

Original Word: κατηχέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katécheó
Pronunciation: kat-ay-kheh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ay-kheh'-o)
Definition: To instruct, to teach, to inform
Meaning: I instruct orally, teach, inform.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

inform, instruct, teach.

From kata and echos; to sound down into the ears, i.e. (by implication) to indoctrinate ("catechize") or (genitive case) to apprise of -- inform, instruct, teach.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK echos

HELPS Word-studies

2727 katēxéō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," which intensifies 2278 /ēxéō, "to sound") – properly, "sound down," i.e. learn exactly by sounds (meaningful repetition); to learn by nuanced repetition; to catechize, teaching foundational truths as they relate to progressing in the Christian life (cf. 1 Cor 14:19; Gal 6:6).

[The prefix kata lends the idea "exactly," indicating how oral instruction skillfully brought a subject from one level to another to reach precise and growing understanding.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from kata and écheó
Definition
to teach by word of mouth
NASB Translation
instruct (1), instructed (2), taught (2), teaches (1), told (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2727: κατηχέω

κατηχέω, κατήχω: 1 aorist κατήχησα; passive, present κατηχοῦμαι; perfect κατήχημαι; 1 aorist κατηχήθην; nowhere met with in the O. T.; very rare in secular authors;

1. properly, to sound toward, sound down upon, resound: ἁρμονία κατηχει τῆς θαλαττης, Philostr., p. 791 (icon. 1, 19); to charm with resounding sound, to fascinate, τινα μύθοις, Lucian, Jup. trag. 39.

2. to teach orally, to instruct: Lucian, asin. § 48; Philopatr. 17. In the N. T. only used by Luke and Paul: τινα, 1 Corinthians 14:19; passive ἐκ τοῦ νόμου, by bearing the law, accustomed to be publicly read in the synagogues, Romans 2:18; with the accusative of the thing, αὐτός σε πολλά κατηχήσω τῶν ἀγνωυμενων, Josephus, de vita sua §65 at the end; with accusative of a thing and of a person, τοῦ ἀληθοῦς λόγου βραχέα κατηχησας με, Clement. hom. 1, 13; passive with the accusative of the thing: τήν ὁδόν τοῦ κυρίου, Acts 18:25; τόν λόγον, Galatians 6:6; hence, some ((see Meyer, in the place cited)) resolve Luke 1:4 thus: περί τῶν λόγων, οὕς κατηχήθης (see below).

3. to inform by word of mouth; passive to be orally informed: followed by ὅτι, Philo de leg. ad Gaium § 30; περί τίνος (the genitive of person), followed by ὅτι, Acts 21:21; with the accusative of the thing, ὧν, κατήχηνται περί σου i. e. τούτων, ἅ κτλ., Acts 21:24 (κατηχηθεις περί τῶν συμβεβηκότων (pseudo-) Plutarch, de fluviis (7, 2); 8, 1; 7, 1). To this construction the majority refer Luke 1:4, construing it thus: τήν ἀσφάλειαν τῶν λόγων, περί ὧν κατηχήθης (Winers Grammar, 165 (156); Buttmann, § 143, 7; (see above)). Cf. Gilbert, Dissertatio de christianae catecheseos historia (Lipsius 1836) Part i., p. 1ff; Zezschwitz, System der christl. Katechetik (Leipz. 1863) i., p. 17ff; (and for ecclesiastical usage, Suicer, Thesaurus 2:69ff; Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from κατά (kata, meaning "down" or "against") and ἠχέω (ēcheō, meaning "to sound" or "to echo").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for κατηχέω, the concept of teaching and instruction is prevalent in the Old Testament. Hebrew words such as לָמַד (lamad, Strong's 3925), meaning "to learn" or "to teach," and יָרָה (yarah, Strong's 3384), meaning "to instruct" or "to direct," capture similar ideas of imparting knowledge and guidance. These terms reflect the longstanding tradition of oral instruction and the transmission of religious teachings within the Jewish faith, which carried over into early Christian practices.

Usage: The term κατηχέω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of teaching or instructing someone in the principles of the Christian faith. It often implies a systematic or formal instruction, typically delivered orally.

Context: • Contextual Overview: In the New Testament, κατηχέω is used to describe the process of teaching or instructing individuals in the Christian faith. This term is foundational in understanding the early Christian practice of catechesis, where new converts or believers were systematically taught the doctrines and practices of Christianity.

• Scriptural References:
• Luke 1:4: "so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." Here, κατηχέω is used to describe the instruction that Theophilus received, ensuring the reliability of the teachings about Jesus Christ.
• Acts 18:25: "He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John." This passage refers to Apollos, who had been orally instructed in the teachings of the Lord, highlighting the importance of accurate and fervent teaching.
• Romans 2:18: "and know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law." Paul uses κατηχέω to describe the instruction received from the law, emphasizing the role of teaching in understanding God's will.
• 1 Corinthians 14:19: "But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." Paul underscores the value of clear and understandable instruction within the church setting.
• Galatians 6:6: "Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor." This verse highlights the reciprocal relationship between the instructor and the one being instructed, emphasizing the importance of sharing and supporting those who teach the word.

• Theological Significance: The concept of κατηχέω is central to the development of Christian education and discipleship. It underscores the importance of passing down the teachings of the faith through structured and intentional instruction. This practice laid the groundwork for what would later become formal catechism in the church, ensuring that believers were well-grounded in their faith and equipped to live out the teachings of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

κατηχηθης κατηχήθης κατηχηθησαν κατηχήθησαν κατηχημενος κατηχημένος κατηχηνται κατήχηνται κατηχησω κατηχήσω κατηχουμενος κατηχούμενος κατηχουντι κατηχούντι κατηχοῦντι katechemenos katecheménos katēchēmenos katēchēménos katechentai katēchēntai katḗchentai katḗchēntai katecheso katechḗso katēchēsō katēchḗsō katechethes katechḗthes katēchēthēs katēchḗthēs katechethesan katechḗthesan katēchēthēsan katēchḗthēsan katechoumenos katechoúmenos katēchoumenos katēchoúmenos katechounti katechoûnti katēchounti katēchoûnti

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 1:4 V-AIP-2S
GRK: περὶ ὧν κατηχήθης λόγων τὴν
NAS: about the things you have been taught.
KJV: wherein thou hast been instructed.
INT: concerning which you were instructed of [the] things the

Acts 18:25 V-RPM/P-NMS
GRK: οὗτος ἦν κατηχημένος τὴν ὁδὸν
NAS: had been instructed in the way
KJV: was instructed in the way
INT: He was instructed in the way

Acts 21:21 V-AIP-3P
GRK: κατηχήθησαν δὲ περὶ
NAS: and they have been told about
KJV: And they are informed of thee,
INT: they were informed moreover concerning

Acts 21:24 V-RIM/P-3P
GRK: ὅτι ὧν κατήχηνται περὶ σοῦ
NAS: to the things which they have been told about
KJV: whereof they were informed concerning
INT: that of which they have been informed about you

Romans 2:18 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: τὰ διαφέροντα κατηχούμενος ἐκ τοῦ
NAS: the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,
KJV: the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of
INT: the things that are more excellent being instructed out of the

1 Corinthians 14:19 V-ASA-1S
GRK: καὶ ἄλλους κατηχήσω ἢ μυρίους
NAS: so that I may instruct others
KJV: that [by my voice] I might teach others
INT: also others I might instruct than ten thousand

Galatians 6:6 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: δὲ ὁ κατηχούμενος τὸν λόγον
NAS: The one who is taught the word
KJV: Let him that is taught in the word
INT: moreover the [one] being taught in the word

Galatians 6:6 V-PPA-DMS
GRK: λόγον τῷ κατηχοῦντι ἐν πᾶσιν
NAS: good things with the one who teaches [him].
KJV: communicate unto him that teacheth in
INT: word with him that teaches in all

Strong's Greek 2727
8 Occurrences

κατηχημένος — 1 Occ.
κατήχηνται — 1 Occ.
κατηχήσω — 1 Occ.
κατηχήθης — 1 Occ.
κατηχήθησαν — 1 Occ.
κατηχούμενος — 2 Occ.
κατηχοῦντι — 1 Occ.