← G2713 G2715 →

κατενώπιον

katenṓpion

G2714 preposition

SILEX Entry

Definition

A preposition meaning in the presence of, before, or in the view of (someone or something). It denotes that something occurs directly before, or in the presence of, a person or entity—usually expressing spatial, relational, or figurative nearness. Less commonly, it may carry the sense of being subject to the judgment, observation, or consideration of another.

Semantic Range

in the presence of, before (someone), in the sight of, directly in front of, in the view or judgment of

Root / Etymology

Compound of κατά ('down, according to, in relation to') and ἐνώπιον ('in the presence of, before'). The two parts combine to form an emphatic or intensified expression of 'in the immediate presence of.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

κατενώπιον is found in Koine Greek texts, especially biblical Greek, as an intensified or formal variant of ἐνώπιον, primarily when expressing direct access to, or positioning immediately before, a person or (most often) a deity. It is rare or not found at all in classical Attic Greek and appears to reflect either a Semitic influence (compare Hebrew לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of') or a tendency in biblical and legal language to compound prepositions for emphasis (praegnans construct). In the Septuagint, κατενώπιον is often used for Hebrew בְּפָנִים or לִפְנֵי. In the New Testament, it frequently denotes being in the presence of God, Messiah, or a recognized authority. Standard English translations ("before," "in the sight of," "in the presence of") generally capture the spatial or figurative sense, but the Greek sometimes carries a heightened sense of openness, accountability, or direct relational positioning. This preposition is distinct from simply referencing spatial orientation; it is used where attentive presence or acknowledgement is significant.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and ἐνώπιον; directly in front of:--before (the presence of), in the sight of.

Root Family

ὀπ- (epóptēs) — to see, to observe, to appear

Root ὀπ- face, presence, before
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2030 ἐπόπτης direct eyewitnesses
G3659 ὄμμα eyes
G3692 ὀπή to openings
G3693 ὄπισθεν behind
G3700 ὀπτάνομαι appearing

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2714-01 κατενώπιον katenopion PREP GEN before in the immediate presence of in the immediate presence of 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2714-01 Ephesians 1:4 κατενώπιον katenopion PREP GEN before in the immediate presence of in the immediate presence of
G2714-01 Colossians 1:22 κατενώπιον katenopion PREP GEN before in the immediate presence of in the immediate presence of
G2714-01 Jude 1:24 κατενώπιον katenopion PREP GEN in the presence of in the immediate presence of in the immediate presence of
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