καταπατέω
katapateō
to trample
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "katapateō" (Strong's number G2662) is a verb that means "to trample." This simple yet powerful verb suggests the idea of intentional, possibly even violent, foot-stomping or crushing. In the few instances where it appears in the Bible, we see its usage in contexts that emphasize power, control, and the imposition of will. The significance of "katapateō" lies in its connection to dominance and oppression. It implies a forceful step beyond mere resistance, suggesting instead the imposition of one's will through force or control. This word's usage highlights not just conflict but also the dynamic of power imbalance. While it appears only 5 times in the Bible, the meaning of "katapateō" offers a striking glimpse into the human experience of struggle and control. By examining this word in its biblical contexts, we gain insight into the ways in which individuals and groups interact, often unequally, in acts of dominance and resistance.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences across the text
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
Matthew 7:6“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Luke 8:5“The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.
Luke 12:1Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Hebrews 10:29How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?