← G2656 G2658 →

κατανοέω

katanoéō

G2657 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To pay close attention to, to notice or perceive carefully, to direct one’s mind toward something and apprehend it attentively; in extended contexts, to contemplate, consider, or examine carefully. The primary sense involves not only visual observation but also mental attention and evaluation, implying both perceptive seeing and thoughtful reflection.

Semantic Range

to observe closely, to notice, to perceive attentively, to consider mentally, to examine, to contemplate

Root / Etymology

From the preposition κατά ('down, according to, intensely') and the verb νοέω ('to perceive, to think, to understand'), thus literally 'to perceive intently' or 'to pay full attention.' Related to νοῦς (mind, understanding).

Historical & Contextual Notes

κατανοέω appears in various Koine Greek contexts with the sense of attentive perception—whether observing phenomena, reflecting on actions, or considering arguments. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew verbs of seeing or considering (e.g., רָאָה, בִּין), highlighting a deeper attentiveness than simple visual recognition. In Hellenistic and early Roman Greek, the term was used for noticing details or grasping the significance of speech or events. In the New Testament, κατανοέω emphasizes deliberate attention and understanding—e.g., observing the lilies (Luke 12:24), considering a speck in someone’s eye (Matthew 7:3)—and contrasts with more casual seeing (βλέπω, ὁράω). English translation traditions often use 'behold,' 'consider,' 'notice,' or 'perceive,' but these may not fully capture the nuance of intense or focused observation and reflective attention that κατανοέω can imply. The term is often used where a shift from mere seeing to interpretive noticing or thoughtful analysis is intended.

Translation Consistency

primary "notice" 1 occurrence

Notice is a common, natural English verb that captures the primary sense of katanoéō—attentive perception and awareness—and can extend to careful consideration or examination. It is more conversational than 'perceive' and broader than the visually focused 'observe,' so it fits the typical usages across the semantic range.

Alternatives (13 occurrences):
"pay close attention" (3x) "attentively perceive" (2x) "perceive intently" (2x) "carefully perceived" (2x) "having attentively perceived" (1x) "observed" (1x) "us carefully consider" (1x) "attentively perceiving" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and νοιέω; to observe fully:--behold, consider, discover, perceive.

Root Family

κατανοέω (katanoeō) — perceive, notice, direct one’s mind, consider, examine

Root νοε- to perceive, to think, to direct one's mind

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2657-04 κατανοήσατε katanoesate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Consider Pay close attention Pay close attention 3
G2657-02 κατανοῆσαι katanoesai V AOR ACT INF to behold to perceive intently to perceive intently 2
G2657-08 κατενόουν katenooun V IMPF ACT IND 1P SG I considered I was closely considering I was closely noticing 2
G2657-07 κατενόησεν katenoesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he considered he carefully perceived he carefully perceived 2
G2657-01 κατανοεῖς katanoeis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG you notice you attentively perceive you attentively perceive 2
G2657-06 κατανοοῦντι katanoounti V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG beholding to one attentively perceiving attentively perceiving 1
G2657-03 κατανοήσας katanoesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having perceived having attentively perceived having attentively perceived 1
G2657-05 κατανοῶμεν katanoomen V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL let us consider let us carefully consider let us carefully consider 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2657-01 Matthew 7:3 κατανοεῖς katanoeis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG you notice you attentively perceive you attentively perceive
G2657-01 Luke 6:41 κατανοεῖς katanoeis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG do you notice you attentively perceive you attentively perceive
G2657-04 Luke 12:24 κατανοήσατε katanoesate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Consider Pay close attention Pay close attention
G2657-04 Luke 12:27 κατανοήσατε katanoesate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Consider Pay close attention Pay close attention
G2657-03 Luke 20:23 κατανοήσας katanoesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having perceived having attentively perceived having attentively perceived
G2657-02 Acts 7:31 κατανοῆσαι katanoesai V AOR ACT INF to behold to perceive intently to perceive intently
G2657-02 Acts 7:32 κατανοῆσαι katanoesai V AOR ACT INF to look to perceive intently to perceive intently
G2657-08 Acts 11:6 κατενόουν katenooun V IMPF ACT IND 1P SG I considered I was closely considering I was closely noticing
G2657-08 Acts 27:39 κατενόουν katenooun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they observed I was closely considering they observed
G2657-07 Romans 4:19 κατενόησεν katenoesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he considered he carefully perceived he carefully perceived
← G2656 Greek Lexicon G2658 →