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καταφροντής

kataphrontḗs

G2707 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who regards someone or something with contempt or scorn, a despiser; a person who dismissively undervalues, belittles, or views another with disdain. The term generally conveys active disregard or disrespect, directed toward persons or institutions considered unworthy of respect or attention.

Semantic Range

one who despises, scorner, person who holds in contempt, person who shows open disregard or disrespect

Root / Etymology

From καταφρονέω (kataphroneō, 'to look down upon, to despise'), itself from κατά ('down, against') and φρονέω ('to think, to consider'). The term is thus 'one who thinks down on' another; a despiser or scorner.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The noun καταφροντής is rare and has limited attestation in both classical and Koine Greek. While καταφρονέω is found in a variety of contexts (personal relationships, dismissive attitudes toward law or custom), the noun καταφροντής explicitly describes an individual who personifies this attitude—a despiser or one who habitually scorns others. In New Testament and Second Temple contexts, the word most often occurs in lists of vices, describing those who are insolently disdainful toward social norms, religious customs, or fellow individuals. Its nuance is stronger than mere disregard: it implies a disdain that leads to rejection or disrespect. English translations such as 'despiser' or 'scorner' only partially capture the active sense of belittling or treating as beneath notice that the Greek conveys. The term should be distinguished from μειωτής (diminisher, belittler), which emphasizes reducing status, while καταφροντής underscores the act of contemptuous disregard. Its rarity in surviving sources means each occurrence should be read with attention to the specific context to determine the precise object of contempt. The English 'contemner' is a close but somewhat archaic parallel.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from καταφρονέω; a contemner:--despiser.

Root Family

φρον- (kataphronéō) — to think, to have an attitude, to consider

Root φρον- to think, to regard, to consider
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2706 καταφρονέω you are despising
G3912 παραφρονέω being irrational
G3913 παραφρονία mental derangement
G4065 περιφρονέω let him scorn
G5426 φρονέω you were thinking

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2707-01 καταφρονηταί kataphronetai N VOC M PL despisers O despisers despisers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2707-01 Acts 13:41 καταφρονηταί kataphronetai N VOC M PL despisers O despisers despisers
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