English · KJV
G2516

καθέζομαι

kathézomai /kath-ed'-zom-ahee/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom κατά and the base of ἑδραῖος
Meaningto sit down
KJV usagesit.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kathézomai — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kathézomai, represented by G2516, means to sit down. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. The term describes the physical act of sitting, but its significance is often derived from the context in which it occurs, such as teaching, resting, or waiting.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical accounts, G2516 is used to frame important scenes. Jesus is found sitting in the temple among the doctors G1320, both listening and asking questions Luke 2:46. He later references this common practice, stating he sat daily in the temple to teach Matthew 26:55. The term also depicts Jesus' humanity, as when he, being wearied from a journey, sat by Jacob's well John 4:6. In a moment of divine revelation, two angels are seen sitting at the empty tomb of Jesus John 20:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide deeper context for the act of sitting:

  • G1320 didáskalos (an instructor): These were the teachers among whom the young Jesus sat, demonstrating a posture of learning and engagement from an early age Luke 2:46.
  • G1321 didáskō (to teach): This action is explicitly linked to Jesus sitting in the temple, a common posture for authoritative teaching Matthew 26:55.
  • G4892 synédrion (council): This term denotes the formal assembly where members sat to hear the testimony of Stephen before his martyrdom Acts 6:15.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2516 is revealed through its contextual uses.

  • Posture of Teaching: Jesus sitting to teach establishes a model of rabbinic authority and instruction. His action in the temple underscores his role as the ultimate teacher G1320 Matthew 26:55.
  • Embodiment of Humanity: By sitting at the well due to weariness, Jesus demonstrates his full humanity. This act of rest precedes a significant spiritual conversation, highlighting his dual nature John 4:6.
  • Witness and Revelation: The posture of sitting is also adopted by celestial beings. Angels are found sitting at the empty tomb, signifying a settled divine presence and bearing witness to the resurrection John 20:12. Mary sat in the house, a picture of stillness that contrasts with her sister's activity, perhaps indicating grief or contemplation John 11:20.

Summary

In summary, G2516 conveys more than the simple physical act of being seated. Depending on the context, it can signify authority, weariness, contemplation, or divine witness. From Jesus sitting as a teacher in the temple to angels sitting at the site of his resurrection, the word helps to establish the tone and significance of a scene.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 7 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • ἐκαθέζετο
  • ἐκαθεζόμην
  • καθεζομένους
  • καθεζόμενον
  • καθεζόμενοι
  • καθεζόμενος

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G1320 διδάσκαλος an instructor (genitive case or specially) G1321 διδάσκω to teach (in the same broad application) G4892 συνέδριον a joint session, i.e. (specially), the Jewish Sanhedrin

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 6 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John (3 verses); never once in the other 23.

1
Matthew
1
Luke
3
John
1
Acts

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.