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καταφιλέω

kataphiléō

G2705 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To kiss closely or with devotion; to bestow repeated or affectionate kisses. The primary sense is to express strong affection or honor through the act of repeated or intense kissing. In various contexts, it may indicate a greeting marked by warmth, deep emotion, or reverence, often more intense than a simple kiss.

Semantic Range

to kiss affectionately, to kiss repeatedly, to cover with kisses, to greet with fervent embrace, to show devotion or emotional closeness through kissing, to express reverent respect through kissing

Root / Etymology

From κατά (kata, 'down, against, intensive') and φιλέω (phileō, 'to love, to kiss'). The prefix κατά intensifies the action, thus imparting the sense of 'fervently' or 'fondly'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

καταφιλέω is a compound verb not frequent in classical texts, with its attestation found both in the Septuagint (LXX) and the New Testament. In the LXX, it commonly renders Hebrew verbs for kissing, often signifying loyalty, affection, or mourning (e.g., Gen. 29:13, Ruth 1:9, 14). In the Greek of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it can denote repeated or especially affectionate kissing, such as the welcoming greeting between close companions or family, or gestures of reverence (cf. Luke 7:38, 45; 15:20 in the NT). Ordinary φιλέω often means 'to kiss' or 'to love' in a broad sense, but καταφιλέω intensifies the action, focusing on warmth or repeated acts. The term is less neutral or formal than ἀσπάζομαι ('to greet, to salute'), emphasizing the emotion conveyed through the gestural act. Standard English translations often render it simply as 'to kiss,' but this may obscure the heightened or repeated nature especially present in ancient contexts, where the term conveys more than a perfunctory greeting kiss.

Translation Consistency

primary "kiss" 6 occurrences

καταφιλέω denotes affectionate or repeated kissing—an intensified form of kissing or greeting. The simple verb “kiss” is the natural, common English equivalent that covers the primary sense (affectionate/reverent kissing) while allowing intensity or repetition to be shown by context or modifiers. It ensures consistent, idiomatic renderings across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from 2596 and 5368; to kiss earnestly:--kiss.

Root Family

φιλ- (kataphiléō) — to love, to kiss, to be fond of

Root φιλ- to love, to kiss, to be fond of
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4375 προσφιλής affection-worthy things
G5368 φιλέω he kept showing affection
G5371 Φιλήμων to Philemon
G5373 φιλία friendship
G5384 φίλος beloved women

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2705-03 κατεφίλησεν katephilesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he kissed he fervently kissed he fervently kissed 3
G2705-01 καταφιλοῦσά kataphilousa V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG kissing fervently kissing fervently kissing 1
G2705-02 κατεφίλει katephilei V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG kissing was fervently kissing was fervently kissing 1
G2705-04 κατεφίλουν katephiloun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL kissed they were fervently kissing they were fervently kissing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2705-03 Matthew 26:49 κατεφίλησεν katephilesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he kissed he fervently kissed he fervently kissed
G2705-03 Mark 14:45 κατεφίλησεν katephilesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he kissed he fervently kissed he fervently kissed
G2705-02 Luke 7:38 κατεφίλει katephilei V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG kissing was fervently kissing was fervently kissing
G2705-01 Luke 7:45 καταφιλοῦσά kataphilousa V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG kissing fervently kissing fervently kissing
G2705-03 Luke 15:20 κατεφίλησεν katephilesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG kissed he fervently kissed he fervently kissed
G2705-04 Acts 20:37 κατεφίλουν katephiloun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL kissed they were fervently kissing they were fervently kissing
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