καταδικάζω (G2613) — Greek Lexicon

καταδικάζω

katadikázō

G2613 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To declare someone guilty through judicial process; to render an adverse verdict against, often in a formal or legal context. The primary meaning is to pronounce a negative judgment, especially after evaluation or investigation. In broader use, it can mean to denounce or strongly disapprove of an action or person.

Semantic Range

to declare guilty, to convict, to pronounce guilty in a legal context, to condemn judicially, to strongly denounce

Root / Etymology

From κατά (kata, 'against, down upon') and δικάζω (dikazō, 'to judge'); thus, 'to judge against,' with κατά intensifying the sense of adverse judgment.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, καταδικάζω appears in judicial and civic contexts as a technical term for delivering a guilty verdict or convicting in a court. This usage persists into the Hellenistic and Koine periods, where it retains strong legal connotations—a formal pronouncement of guilt, not merely abstract condemnation. In the Septuagint and New Testament, καταδικάζω is employed for both formal judicial condemnation (as by human authorities) and, at times, for pronouncements attributed to divine or quasi-judicial authority. The English translation 'condemn' captures the basic sense but lacks the word's consistent association with legal or courtroom settings. Related terms like ἀποκρίνω ('to judge, decide') and κρίνω ('to judge') are more neutral; καταδικάζω specifically implies a judgment against, with legal force. Not to be confused with κατακρίνω, which can have similar yet not identical emphasis, sometimes used more broadly for pronouncing judgment.

Translation Consistency

primary "convict" 0 occurrences

The primary sense of καταδικάζω is to pronounce someone guilty through a judicial process. 'Convict' is a single, natural English verb that conveys the legal verdict/condemnation meaning while also fitting extended senses of judicial condemnation or strong denunciation. It is widely used and will produce natural, consistent renderings across all forms.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):

"declared guilty" (2x) "condemned" (2x) "condemning" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and a derivative of δίκη; to adjudge against, i.e. pronounce guilty:--condemn.

Root Family

καταδικάζω (katadikazō) — to judge against, to render a verdict, to declare guilty, to condemn judicially

Root δικ- to judge, to make a legal decision, to render a verdict

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2613-04`	κατεδικάσατε	katedikasate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you have condemned	you declared guilty	you declared guilty	2
`G2613-03`	καταδικάζετε	katadikazete	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	condemn	Keep declaring guilty	be condemning	1
`G2613-02`	καταδικασθῆτε	katadikasthete	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P PL`	be condemned	you may be declared guilty	you may be condemned	1
`G2613-01`	καταδικασθήσῃ	katadikasthese	`V FUT PASS IND 2P SG`	you will be condemned	you will be convicted	you will be condemned	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2613-04`	Matthew 12:7	κατεδικάσατε	katedikasate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you would have condemned	you declared guilty	you declared guilty
`G2613-01`	Matthew 12:37	καταδικασθήσῃ	katadikasthese	`V FUT PASS IND 2P SG`	you will be condemned	you will be convicted	you will be condemned
`G2613-03`	Luke 6:37	καταδικάζετε	katadikazete	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	condemn	Keep declaring guilty	be condemning
`G2613-02`	Luke 6:37	καταδικασθῆτε	katadikasthete	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P PL`	be condemned	you may be declared guilty	you may be condemned
`G2613-04`	James 5:6	κατεδικάσατε	katedikasate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you have condemned	you declared guilty	you declared guilty

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