καίτοι

kaítoi

G2543 coordinating conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

A conjunction introducing a concessive clause, meaning 'and yet' or 'nevertheless,' marking an unexpected or contrasting element relative to the preceding statement. It expresses a sense of contrast or exception to what has just been stated, often akin to 'though,' 'although,' or 'even though.' Used to signal that, despite the prior assertion, the following idea still holds true.

Semantic Range

and yet, nevertheless, although, even though, notwithstanding, though

Root / Etymology

From the conjunction καί ('and, also, even') and the particle τοί (an emphatic particle, often expressing emphasis or assurance). The compound form καίτοι combines the meanings to intensify the introduction of a concessive clause.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Primarily used in Koine and post-classical Greek as a discourse connective to introduce concessions or surprising contrasts. Earlier in classical Greek, καίτοι could mark both mild objection and strong concession, sometimes with the nuance of emphasizing a contradiction. In the New Testament, it is used rarely and characteristically at the head of a clause, typically translated as 'although,' 'and yet,' or 'nevertheless.' English translations often smooth over its emphatic or connective nuance. In the Septuagint and later Greek literature, καίτοι continues to introduce statements standing somewhat in opposition to what precedes, but does not carry adversative force as strong as ἀλλά ('but'). It differs from related concessive connectives such as καίπερ ('although,' 'even though'), which more explicitly introduce a concessive participial phrase rather than a main clause.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from καί and τοί; and yet, i.e. nevertheless:--although.

Root Family

καί- (kaí) — to join, to connect, to add

Root καί- and, even, also, indeed
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2532 καί and

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2543-01 καίτοι kaitoi CONJ although and yet and yet 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2543-01 Acts 14:17 καίτοι kaitoi CONJ although and yet and yet
G2543-01 Hebrews 4:3 καίτοι kaitoi CONJ although and yet and yet