καταφρονήσητε

kataphronéō

despise

To regard with contempt, to treat as having little or no value; to look down on, to despise, or to treat something or someone as unworthy of proper consideration. The core meaning involves actively undervaluing or dismissing someone or something, either in thought or action. Semantic range includes treating with scorn, disregarding, or rejecting with a sense of superiority.

G2706

Matthew 18:10 · Word #3

Lexicon G2706

Lemmaκαταφρονέω
Transliterationkataphronéō
Strong'sG2706
DefinitionTo regard with contempt, to treat as having little or no value; to look down on, to despise, or to treat something or someone as unworthy of proper consideration. The core meaning involves actively undervaluing or dismissing someone or something, either in thought or action. Semantic range includes treating with scorn, disregarding, or rejecting with a sense of superiority.

Morphology V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL All morphology codes

Part of Speech V — Verb — An action or state of being
Tense AOR — Aorist — Simple occurrence, often past
Voice ACT — Active — The subject performs the action
Mood SUBJ — Subjunctive — Expresses possibility or purpose
Person 2P — 2nd person — The one spoken to ("you")
Number PL — Plural — More than one

Common Translation

Phrasedespise
Literaldespise-look-down-on

Lexical Info

Lemmaκαταφρονέω
Strong'sG2706

SIBI-P1 Translation G2706-07

you (pl.) may despise

Morphological NotesVerb; aorist tense (simple/complete aspect), active voice, subjunctive mood, 2nd person plural.
Rendering RationaleThe compound literally means "to think down on," expressing active contempt or undervaluing. The aorist active subjunctive, second person plural, is rendered as "you (pl.) may despise," reflecting potential or contingent action directed to multiple hearers.

View full lexicon entry for G2706 →

SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

you despise

Same as P1No — adjusted for context
RationaleThe verb is subjunctive with a prohibition; 'you may despise' loses the imperative nuance. 'You despise' fits the prohibitive sense.