κατεφίστημι (katephistēmi)
katephistēmi
to attack
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katephistēmi describes a sudden, aggressive action: to rush up against someone or rise up in attack. It combines the intensifying prefix kata- with histēmi, meaning "to stand," creating an image of forceful confrontation rather than passive opposition. This word appears only once in the New Testament, marking a specific moment of hostility.
In Acts 18:12, the term captures the mood when the Jews in Corinth rose up together against the apostle Paul. The sources define it as rushing or assaulting, highlighting the physical and vocal intensity of the mob's reaction to his preaching. It is not merely disagreement but an active, violent attempt to silence him.
Its rarity in Scripture gives this single occurrence significant weight. By using a word that implies a coordinated rush against an individual, the text emphasizes the danger Paul faced in Corinth. The term underscores the personal risk involved in early missionary work, showing how opposition could quickly escalate from debate to direct assault.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katephistēmi paints a vivid picture of sudden confrontation. It describes people rushing together to attack or stand against someone with force. In Acts 18:12, this term captures the moment when opponents in Corinth rose up against Paul. This was not a quiet disagreement but an active attempt to silence him through physical and vocal intensity.
When you face strong opposition or hostility, this word reminds you that standing for your faith can involve real risk. The early church did not always enjoy easy acceptance. Sometimes, speaking the truth meant facing a group determined to shut you down. Yet, even in these moments of aggression, God’s purpose continues to move forward.
Understanding this intensity helps us appreciate the courage required to share our beliefs. It also offers comfort when we feel overwhelmed by conflict. We are not alone in our struggles against opposition. The same God who protected Paul is present with us today, offering strength and peace in the midst of any storm.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rose up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατεπέστησαν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 18:12
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
This occurrence highlights the coordinated aggression of the mob as they rose up together against Paul, showing the word's focus on collective force rather than individual dissent.