2737. katoteros

Lexicon

katoteros: Lower, inferior

Original Word: κατώτερος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: katoteros
Pronunciation: ka-TO-te-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-o'-ter-os)
Definition: Lower, inferior
Meaning: lower.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

lower.

Comparative from kato; inferior (locally, of Hades) -- lower.

see GREEK kato

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2737: κατώτερος

κατώτερος, κατώτερα, κατώτερον (comparitive of κάτω, see ἀνώτερος) (Hippocrates, Theophrastus, Athen., others), lower: (ὁ Χριστός) κατέβη εἰς τά κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς, Ephesians 4:9, which many understand of Christ's descent into Hades (τόν τόπον τόν κάτω καλούμενον, Plato, Phaedo, p. 112 c.), taking τῆς γῆς as a partitive genitive (see ᾅδης, 2). But the mention of tiffs fact is at variance with the connection. Paul is endeavoring to show that the passage he has just before quoted, Psalm 67:19 (), must be understood of Christ, not of God, because 'an ascent into heaven' necessarily presupposes a descent to earth (which was made by Christ in the incarnation), whereas God does not leave his abode in heaven. Accordingly, τά κατώτερα τῆς γῆς denotes, the lower parts of the universe, which the earth constitutes — τῆς γῆς being a genitive of apposition; cf. Winer's Grammar, § 59, 8 a.; Grimm, Institutio theol. dogmat. edition 2, p. 355ff

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the comparative form of the Greek adjective "κάτω" (káto), meaning "down" or "below."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "κατώτερος," similar concepts of descending or being lower can be found in Hebrew words such as יָרַד (yarad, Strong's H3381), which means "to go down" or "descend," and שָׁפָל (shaphal, Strong's H8217), meaning "low" or "humble." These terms are used in the Old Testament to describe physical descent, humility, or a lower status.

Usage: The word "κατώτερος" appears in the New Testament to describe a position that is lower or beneath another. It is used in contexts that can be both literal, such as geographical locations, and figurative, such as hierarchical or spiritual standings.

Context: • The term "κατώτερος" is found in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize a lower position or status. In Ephesians 4:9, it is used to describe Christ's descent: "What does 'He ascended' mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth?" (BSB). This passage highlights the humility and condescension of Christ, who descended from the heavenly realms to the earthly domain, often interpreted as His incarnation and burial.
• The use of "κατώτερος" in this context underscores the theological concept of Christ's willing submission and His role in the redemptive plan. It reflects the belief in His full participation in human experience, including suffering and death, before His exaltation.
• The term can also be understood in a broader sense to describe any form of descent or lowering, whether physical, social, or spiritual. It serves as a reminder of the Christian call to humility and service, following the example of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

κατώτατα κατωτάτη κατωτάτοις κατωτάτου κατωτάτω κατωτερα κατώτερα καυλός katotera katōtera katṓtera

Englishman's Concordance

Ephesians 4:9 Adj-ANP-C
GRK: εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς
NAS: had descended into the lower parts
KJV: into the lower parts
INT: into the lower parts of the

Strong's Greek 2737
1 Occurrence

κατώτερα — 1 Occ.