καταλαμβάνω
katalambánō
G2638 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To seize, grasp, or lay hold of something or someone, either physically or figuratively. In its primary sense, καταλαμβάνω refers to catching, seizing, or overtaking, often with force or intent. It extends metaphorically to meanings such as comprehending or understanding (to grasp with the mind), obtaining (attaining through effort), and encountering (to come upon or surprise).
Semantic Range
to seize, to grasp (physically), to apprehend, to capture, to overtake, to catch up with, to obtain, to attain, to come upon suddenly, to comprehend (intellectually), to perceive, to master
Root / Etymology
Compound of the preposition κατά ('down, against, according to') and the verb λαμβάνω ('to take, to receive'). The prefix κατά intensifies the action, giving a sense of complete or forceful taking.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, καταλαμβάνω most commonly refers to the physical act of overtaking, capturing, or seizing, e.g., a fugitive or a city. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, its range broadens to include both material and abstract objects, such as 'to attain' wisdom or victory. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, the term frequently appears in metaphorical senses: 'to comprehend' (as in John 1:5, referring to the 'darkness did not comprehend/overcome the light'), and 'to overtake' or 'catch' in a more general sense (see Acts 4:13, where authorities perceive/recognize the boldness of Peter and John). Standard English translations tend to render it based on context: 'seize', 'overcome', 'comprehend', 'overtake', etc. Caution is needed, as 'comprehend' in older English can mean both intellectual understanding and active overcoming. Compare with λαμβάνω ('to take, receive'), which is less forceful or total than καταλαμβάνω; and with κατακρατέω ('to overpower, have full control'), which is even more forceful. The metaphorical use for intellectual or spiritual apprehension became more pronounced in later Greek and Christian texts.
Translation Consistency
Grasp naturally covers both the physical sense (take hold of, seize) and the mental sense (understand, comprehend). It reads naturally in English across literal and figurative uses (e.g., grasp a hand, grasp an idea) and thus fits the typical semantic range of καταλαμβάνω while remaining consistent and simple for all inflected forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατά and λαμβάνω; to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively):--apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over-)take.
Root Family
λαμβ- (epilambánomai) — to take, to grasp, to seize
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1949 | ἐπιλαμβάνομαι | he seized for himself |
| G2983 | λαμβάνω | having been received |
| G2989 | λάμπω | radiated |
| G3028 | λῆμψις | of receiving |
| G3335 | μεταλαμβάνω | to partake of |
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2638-01 |
καταλάβῃ | katalabe | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
overtake | may seize fully | may grasp fully | 3 |
G2638-09 |
κατέλαβεν | katelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
comprehended | he seized | he grasped | 2 |
G2638-02 |
καταλαβέσθαι | katalabesthai | V AOR MID INF |
to comprehend | to seize for oneself | to seize for oneself | 1 |
G2638-03 |
καταλάβητε | katalabete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you may obtain | you may seize | you may seize | 1 |
G2638-04 |
καταλάβω | katalabo | V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG |
lay hold | I might seize | I may seize | 1 |
G2638-05 |
καταλαβόμενοι | katalabomenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
perceiving | having seized for themselves | perceiving | 1 |
G2638-06 |
καταλαμβάνομαι | katalambanomai | V PRS MID IND 1P SG |
I understand | I seize for myself | I understand | 1 |
G2638-07 |
κατειληφέναι | kateilephenai | V PRF ACT INF |
to have apprehended | to have fully seized | to have fully seized | 1 |
G2638-08 |
κατείληπται | kateileptai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
has been caught | has been seized | has been caught | 1 |
G2638-10 |
κατελαβόμην | katelabomen | V AOR MID IND 1P SG |
found | I seized for myself | found | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2638-01 |
Mark 9:18 | καταλάβῃ | katalabe | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
seizes | may seize fully | may grasp fully |
G2638-09 |
John 1:5 | κατέλαβεν | katelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
comprehended | he seized | he grasped |
G2638-08 |
John 8:4 | κατείληπται | kateileptai | V PRF PASS IND 3P SG |
has been caught | has been seized | has been caught |
G2638-01 |
John 12:35 | καταλάβῃ | katalabe | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
overtake | may seize fully | may overtake |
G2638-05 |
Acts 4:13 | καταλαβόμενοι | katalabomenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
perceiving | having seized for themselves | perceiving |
G2638-06 |
Acts 10:34 | καταλαμβάνομαι | katalambanomai | V PRS MID IND 1P SG |
I understand | I seize for myself | I understand |
G2638-10 |
Acts 25:25 | κατελαβόμην | katelabomen | V AOR MID IND 1P SG |
found | I seized for myself | found |
G2638-09 |
Romans 9:30 | κατέλαβεν | katelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
have attained | he seized | seized |
G2638-03 |
1 Corinthians 9:24 | καταλάβητε | katalabete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you may obtain | you may seize | you may seize |
G2638-02 |
Ephesians 3:18 | καταλαβέσθαι | katalabesthai | V AOR MID INF |
to comprehend | to seize for oneself | to seize for oneself |
G2638-04 |
Philippians 3:12 | καταλάβω | katalabo | V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG |
lay hold | I might seize | I may seize |
G2638-11 |
Philippians 3:12 | κατελήμφθην | katelemphthen | V AOR PASS IND 1P SG |
laid hold | I was seized | I was seized |
G2638-07 |
Philippians 3:13 | κατειληφέναι | kateilephenai | V PRF ACT INF |
to have apprehended | to have fully seized | to have fully seized |
G2638-01 |
1 Thessalonians 5:4 | καταλάβῃ | katalabe | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
overtake | may seize fully | should overtake |