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G2657

κατανοέω

katanoéō /kat-an-o-eh'-o/ Ask about this word
from κατά and νοιέω
to observe fully
behold, consider, discover, perceive.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of katanoéō — 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 κατανοέω (katanoéō), represented by G2657, means to observe fully. Derived from κατά and νοιέω, its definition includes to behold, consider, discover, and perceive. It appears 14 times across 14 unique verses in the Bible, indicating a specific and intentional kind of observation that goes beyond a casual glance.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G2657 is used to direct attention toward a deeper understanding. Jesus commands his followers to consider the ravens and the lilies to grasp the nature of God's provision (Luke 12:24, Luke 12:27). The word is also used to call for critical self-reflection, as when Jesus contrasts someone who beholds a mote in a brother's eye but does not perceive the beam in their own Luke 6:41. In the book of Hebrews, believers are urged to consider Jesus Christ as the Apostle and High Priest of their profession Hebrews 3:1, and to consider one another to provoke love and good works Hebrews 10:24. This demonstrates a call to focused, purposeful thought.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the specific meaning of fully observing:

  • G991 blépō (to look at): This term is used in contrast with G2657 in the teaching about the mote and the beam, where one beholdest G991 the speck in another's eye but fails to considerest G2657 the log in their own Matthew 7:3. This suggests G991 can be a more general act of seeing.
  • G816 atenízō (to gaze intently): This describes the act of fastening one's eyes on something. It is used in sequence with G2657 when Peter explains his vision, stating that after he had fastened mine eyes G816 upon the sheet, he considered G2657 its contents Acts 11:6.
  • G1492 eídō (to see): Often implying perception that leads to knowledge, this word is used when Moses first saw G1492 the burning bush and then drew near to behold G2657 it, indicating a progression from initial sight to deeper investigation Acts 7:31.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2657 is significant, highlighting a required spiritual discipline.

  • Perceiving Divine Truth: The command to consider aspects of creation, such as the lilies, is a directive to observe the natural world in a way that reveals spiritual truths about God's character and care Luke 12:27.
  • Christ-Centered Focus: Believers are explicitly instructed to consider Jesus G2424 in his role as Apostle G652 and High Priest G749. This is not a passive acknowledgment but an active, ongoing contemplation of His person and work Hebrews 3:1.
  • Faith Overcoming Sight: Abraham's faith is defined by the fact that he considered not his own body as dead Romans 4:19. This demonstrates that true faith involves a deliberate choice to fix one's mind on God's promises rather than on prohibitive circumstances.
  • Intentional Community: The word is applied to relationships within the church, where members are to consider one another with the specific goal of provoking love G26 and good G2570 works G2041 Hebrews 10:24.

Summary

In summary, G2657 is far more than a word for simple sight. It denotes a deliberate and focused observation intended to lead to discovery, understanding, and action. Whether it is perceiving God's provision in nature, focusing one's faith on Christ, or intentionally encouraging fellow believers, κατανοέω (katanoéō) represents a deep mental and spiritual engagement with the world and with God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 14 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular
  • Aorist Active Infinitive
  • Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular
  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 1st Singular
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural
  • Present Active Participle Dative Singular Masculine
  • Present Active Subjunctive 1st Plural
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Dative
The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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.

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 14 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and Acts (4 verses each); never once in the other 21.

1
Matthew
4
Luke
4
Acts
1
Romans
2
Hebrews
2
James

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, 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.