κατεφίστημι
katephistēmi
to attack
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word κατεφίστημι (katephistēmi) is a verb that means "to attack." Its semantic domain is Warfare & Conflict, indicating that it is primarily used in contexts related to military or hostile actions. With only one occurrence in the Bible, its usage is limited, but its meaning is clear. Given its definition and domain, it is likely that κατεφίστημι is used to describe a physical or aggressive action against an enemy or opponent. This verb may be used to convey a sense of sudden or intense confrontation, rather than a prolonged or strategic engagement. The significance of κατεφίστημι lies in its emphasis on the immediate and violent nature of conflict. In a biblical context, this verb may be used to highlight the intensity or ferocity of a particular battle or confrontation, drawing attention to the urgent and often desperate nature of warfare.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text