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καταφρονέω

kataphronéō

G2706 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To regard with contempt, to treat as having little or no value; to look down on, to despise, or to treat something or someone as unworthy of proper consideration. The core meaning involves actively undervaluing or dismissing someone or something, either in thought or action. Semantic range includes treating with scorn, disregarding, or rejecting with a sense of superiority.

Semantic Range

to despise, to scorn, to regard as worthless, to treat with contempt, to look down on, to disregard with disdain, to undervalue

Root / Etymology

From κατά (kata, 'down, against, according to') and φρονέω (phroneō, 'to think, to have a mindset'). The compound thus means 'to think down on,' i.e., to view with contempt or disdain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, καταφρονέω typically refers to holding something in contempt or disregarding its worth, often involving an intentional and conscious attitude. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, the verb retains this denotative sense, frequently carrying moral overtones related to arrogance or pride (e.g., despising the poor, commands, or the things of God). It contrasts both with more neutral terms for ignoring (e.g., ἀμελέω) and more forceful words for outright rejection or hatred (e.g., μισέω). It is used both for interpersonal relationships (despising people) and in religious or moral contexts (disdaining laws, instruction, or spiritual realities). English translations such as 'despise' or 'look down on' are usually adequate but can understate the deliberate disregard or haughty superiority implied in some contexts. It appears in notable NT texts involving ethical or communal obligations (e.g., to not despise little ones, cf. Matt 18:10; or divine commands, cf. Rom 2:4).

Translation Consistency

primary "despise" 5 occurrences

“Despise” is the most natural, single-word English verb that captures the typical sense of καταφρονέω — regarding someone or something with contempt or as worthless. It covers scorn, looking down on, and treating with disdain better than neutral verbs like “regard,” and avoids awkward phrasal choices such as “look down on.” Using “despise” ensures consistent, natural renderings across all forms.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"look down on" (1x) "regard with contempt" (1x) "them treat with contempt" (1x) "having regarded with contempt" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and φρονέω; to think against, i.e. disesteem:--despise.

Root Family

καταφρονέω (kataphroneō) — to think, to have an attitude, to consider; to think down on

Root φρον- to think, to have an attitude, to consider

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2706-06 καταφρονήσει kataphronesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG despise he/she will look down on he/she will despise 2
G2706-07 καταφρονήσητε kataphronesete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL despise you (pl.) may despise you despise 1
G2706-04 καταφρονείτωσαν kataphroneitosan V PRS ACT IMP 3P PL despise let them treat with contempt let them treat with contempt 1
G2706-05 καταφρονήσας kataphronesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG despising having regarded with contempt having regarded with contempt 1
G2706-01 καταφρονεῖς kataphroneis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG do you despise you are despising you are despising 1
G2706-03 καταφρονείτω kataphroneito V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG despise Let him regard with contempt regard with contempt 1
G2706-02 καταφρονεῖτε kataphroneite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL despise you look down on you look down on 1
G2706-08 καταφρονοῦντας kataphronountas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL despise regarding with contempt despising 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2706-06 Matthew 6:24 καταφρονήσει kataphronesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he will despise he/she will look down on he/she will despise
G2706-07 Matthew 18:10 καταφρονήσητε kataphronesete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL despise you (pl.) may despise you despise
G2706-06 Luke 16:13 καταφρονήσει kataphronesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG despise he/she will look down on he/she will despise
G2706-01 Romans 2:4 καταφρονεῖς kataphroneis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG do you despise you are despising you are despising
G2706-02 1 Corinthians 11:22 καταφρονεῖτε kataphroneite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL despise you look down on you look down on
G2706-03 1 Timothy 4:12 καταφρονείτω kataphroneito V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG despise Let him regard with contempt regard with contempt
G2706-04 1 Timothy 6:2 καταφρονείτωσαν kataphroneitosan V PRS ACT IMP 3P PL despise let them treat with contempt let them treat with contempt
G2706-05 Hebrews 12:2 καταφρονήσας kataphronesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG despising having regarded with contempt having regarded with contempt
G2706-08 2 Peter 2:10 καταφρονοῦντας kataphronountas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL despise regarding with contempt despising
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