κατηγορία
katēgoría
G2724 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Formal accusation or charge; specifically, a statement presented in a legal setting that expresses an accusation against someone. The term primarily denotes a declaration of alleged wrongdoing in judicial or forensic contexts, but in broader contexts can refer to any formal charge, allegation, or statement of blame.
Semantic Range
formal accusation, legal charge, complaint, formal allegation, content of legal prosecution
Root / Etymology
From κατήγορος (accuser, prosecutor), itself formed from κατά (against) + ἀγορεύω (to speak in assembly or in public). κατηγορία is a noun formation indicating the act or content of an accusation. The etymological sense is 'what is spoken against (someone)'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, κατηγορία was used in rhetorical and legal discourse to denote the content of a formal charge or accusation, distinguishing the act of accusation (κατηγορεῖν) from its result or content (κατηγορία). The term also gained philosophical meaning in Aristotle to indicate 'predication' or 'category', as in classes or ways of being, but this specific sense is not present in New Testament or most Hellenistic sources. In the Septuagint and New Testament, κατηγορία always refers to the act or content of accusation, typically in a legal or judicial setting (e.g., courts, accusations before authorities). English translations often render it as 'accusation' or 'charge', but it does not refer to legal guilt; rather, it conveys the idea of a formal complaint brought against an individual. Its sense remains fairly stable between the LXX and NT context. Compare with διαβολή (slander, false accusation), which denotes a defamatory report not necessarily in a formal/legal context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κατήγορος; a complaint ("category"), i.e. criminal charge:--accusation (X -ed).
Root Family
κατηγορία (katēgoria) — formal accusation, legal charge, allegation, complaint
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2724-02 |
κατηγορίαν | kategorian | N ACC F SG |
accusation | formal accusation | formal accusation | 3 |
G2724-01 |
κατηγορίᾳ | kategoria | N DAT F SG |
accused | to a formal accusation | accusation | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2724-02 |
John 8:4 | κατηγορίαν | kategorian | N ACC F SG |
an accusation | formal accusation | formal accusation |
G2724-02 |
John 18:29 | κατηγορίαν | kategorian | N ACC F SG |
accusation | formal accusation | formal accusation |
G2724-02 |
1 Timothy 5:19 | κατηγορίαν | kategorian | N ACC F SG |
accusation | formal accusation | accusation |
G2724-01 |
Titus 1:6 | κατηγορίᾳ | kategoria | N DAT F SG |
accused | to a formal accusation | accusation |