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καθίζω

kathízō

G2523 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To cause to sit, to set or place (someone or something) in a seat or position; (intransitive) to sit down, to take a seat. Figuratively, to settle, establish, or appoint to a position. The term thus describes both literal physical sitting and the act of assigning or installing someone to an office or location.

Semantic Range

to cause to sit, to seat, to place in a seat or position, to appoint (to office), to settle, to set down, to sit (intransitive), to take a seat, to dwell, to remain, to tarry

Root / Etymology

From the root καθιζ-, derived from the verb καθίζω, based on the preposition κατά (down, according to) and the verb ἵζω (to cause to sit, to place). ἵζω itself is related to the PIE root *sed- (to sit). καθίζω is the causative form, meaning 'to cause to sit.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, καθίζω primarily meant 'to cause to sit' or 'to set down.' In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, its use expanded to both literal and figurative senses, including appointing to a position of authority, establishing in a place, or settling (as in birds 'hovering' or 'settling' over something). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it appears both intransitively (sit, take one's seat) and transitively (set or appoint). Figurative uses include installing an individual in authority (e.g., on a throne). English translations often conflate active (cause to sit, appoint) and intransitive (sit down, tarry) meanings, though the Greek distinguishes these. In the LXX, it can indicate both ordinary sitting and ceremonial installation (e.g., kings or judges). The root contrasts with κάθημαι, which only means 'to sit,' never 'to cause to sit' or 'appoint.'

Translation Consistency

primary "sit" 42 occurrences

The dominant, natural sense across occurrences is literal sitting (‘sat’, ‘sit’). ‘Sit’ covers both intransitive (‘to sit down’) and the common transitive/causative uses in natural English (e.g. ‘sat him down’, ‘seated’/‘was seated’ can be derived from sit) and also carries the common figurative senses (e.g. ‘sit enthroned’, ‘sit in office’). It is the simplest, most frequent, and most idiomatic choice for this lemma.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"stayed" (1x) "seat" (1x) "having seated" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

another (active) form for καθέζομαι; to seat down, i.e. set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell):--continue, set, sit (down), tarry.

Root Family

καθίζω (kathizō) — to cause to sit, to seat, to set in place, to appoint, to sit down

Root καθιζ- to cause to sit, to set in place, to appoint, to sit (down)

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2523-03 ἐκάθισεν ekathisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG sat down he/she/it sat down he/she/it sat down 13
G2523-07 καθίσας kathisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having sat having sat down having sat down 10
G2523-04 καθίσαι kathisai V AOR ACT INF to sit to seat to sit 6
G2523-02 ἐκάθισαν ekathisan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL have sat they sat down they sat down 3
G2523-08 καθίσατε kathisate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL sit Seat yourselves Sit yourselves down 3
G2523-05 καθίσαντες kathisantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having sat down having sat down having sat down 2
G2523-12 καθίσωσιν kathisosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL these my two sons may sit, they might seat they might sit 1
G2523-13 καθίζετε kathizete V PRS ACT IND 2P PL set you seat you seat 1
G2523-10 καθίσει kathisei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he will sit he/she/it will seat he will sit 1
G2523-01 ἐκάθισα ekathisa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG sat down I seated sat down 1

Occurrences in Scripture

45 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2523-06 Matthew 5:1 καθίσαντος kathisantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG had sat down of the one having sat down having sat down
G2523-05 Matthew 13:48 καθίσαντες kathisantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL sat down having sat down having sat down
G2523-09 Matthew 19:28 καθίσῃ kathise V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG sits might seat will sit
G2523-12 Matthew 20:21 καθίσωσιν kathisosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL these my two sons may sit, they might seat they might sit
G2523-04 Matthew 20:23 καθίσαι kathisai V AOR ACT INF to sit to seat to sit
G2523-02 Matthew 23:2 ἐκάθισαν ekathisan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL have sat they sat down they sat down
G2523-10 Matthew 25:31 καθίσει kathisei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he will sit he/she/it will seat he will sit
G2523-08 Matthew 26:36 καθίσατε kathisate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL sit Seat yourselves Sit yourselves down
G2523-07 Mark 9:35 καθίσας kathisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG Sitting down having sat down having sat down
G2523-11 Mark 10:37 καθίσωμεν kathisomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL we may sit let us sit down let us sit down
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