### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb καταπίπτω (katapíptō), Strong's number `{{G2667}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition κατά (katá), meaning "down" or "against," and the verb πίπτω (píptō), meaning "to fall" `{{G4098}}`. The prefix κατά serves to intensify the action of falling, conveying the sense of falling *down completely*, *to the ground*, or *prostrating oneself*. Its core meaning is thus a physical act of descending to a prone position, often implying suddenness, force, or a complete collapse. While primarily denoting a literal physical action, the contexts in which it appears imbue it with significant spiritual implications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Καταπίπτω appears three times in the New Testament, each instance underscoring a profound experience or revelation:
1. **[[Acts 22:7]]**: In Paul's defense before the crowd in Jerusalem, he recounts his Damascus road experience: "And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'" Here, Paul's falling is an immediate and involuntary response to the overwhelming light and divine voice of the resurrected Christ. It signifies a physical incapacitation brought on by the sheer glory and power of the encounter, leading to a posture of utter helplessness and submission before divine authority.
2. **[[Acts 26:14]]**: Paul reiterates the same event in his defense before King Agrippa: "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'" This account specifies that *all* who were with Paul also fell to the ground, emphasizing the universal impact of the divine manifestation. The collective falling underscores the undeniable reality and power of the encounter, affecting everyone present and leaving no room for doubt regarding its supernatural origin.
3. **[[1 Corinthians 14:25]]**: In the context of spiritual gifts and orderly worship, Paul describes the effect of prophecy on an unbeliever or uninstructed person entering the assembly: "and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you." Here, καταπίπτω describes a voluntary act of prostration. It is a response not to overwhelming light, but to profound conviction of sin and the manifest presence of God's Spirit through the prophetic word. This falling is an act of humility, repentance, and worship, acknowledging God's holiness and truth.
In all three instances, the word consistently describes a physical act of falling to the ground, but the underlying catalysts range from divine power and revelation (Acts) to spiritual conviction and worship (1 Corinthians).
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of καταπίπτω is illuminated by its relationship to other Greek terms:
* πίπτω `{{G4098}}`: The base word, meaning "to fall." Καταπίπτω intensifies this, specifying a complete fall to the ground.
* προσπίπτω `{{G4363}}`: "To fall upon" or "to fall before." Often used in contexts of supplication or adoration, similar to καταπίπτω in its result (prostration) but emphasizing the direction "towards" someone.
* προσκυνέω `{{G4352}}`: "To prostrate oneself," "to do obeisance," "to worship." This verb often describes the *purpose* or *outcome* of falling down. In [[1 Corinthians 14:25]], the falling (καταπίπτω) leads directly to worship (προσκυνέω).
* **Concepts:** The act of falling down in the biblical narrative is frequently associated with:
* **Awe and Reverence:** An overwhelming sense of God's majesty and holiness.
* **Submission and Humility:** A recognition of one's own smallness and dependence before God.
* **Conviction and Repentance:** As seen in [[1 Corinthians 14:25]], a realization of sin leading to a change of heart.
* **Divine Encounter:** A common human response to a direct manifestation of God's presence or power.
* **Worship:** A physical posture that expresses adoration and devotion.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of καταπίπτω lies in its depiction of a profound human response to the divine. It is more than a mere physical action; it is a visible manifestation of an internal spiritual state.
Firstly, the involuntary falling of Paul and his companions on the Damascus road highlights the *overwhelming power and glory of God*. When God reveals Himself, human beings are often incapable of standing in His presence, signifying His transcendent majesty and absolute sovereignty. This physical collapse underscores the vast chasm between human frailty and divine omnipotence.
Secondly, the voluntary falling in worship, as described in [[1 Corinthians 14:25]], demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit to bring *conviction and lead to genuine worship*. When the truth of God is revealed, particularly through prophecy, it can penetrate the heart, leading to a realization of sin and a spontaneous act of humility and adoration. This act of prostration is a tangible expression of a heart surrendered to God, acknowledging His presence and character.
In both contexts, καταπίπτω serves as a powerful visual metaphor for human response to the divine: either overwhelmed by divine power or humbled by divine truth, leading to a posture of complete submission and worship. It signifies a moment of profound recognition of God's reality and authority.
### Summary
Καταπίπτω `{{G2667}}` denotes the act of "falling down completely" or "prostrating oneself." In the New Testament, its occurrences consistently describe a physical descent to the ground, but with deep theological implications. In the accounts of Paul's conversion, it signifies an involuntary collapse due to the overwhelming power and glory of the resurrected Christ, highlighting human incapacitation before divine majesty. In the context of worship, it describes a voluntary act of prostration, driven by conviction of sin and leading to genuine worship and acknowledgment of God's manifest presence. Thus, καταπίπτω serves as a powerful depiction of humanity's profound and often transformative encounter with the divine, characterized by awe, humility, submission, and adoration.
TRV