English · KJV
G2687

καταστέλλω

katastéllō /kat-as-tel'-lo/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom κατά and στέλλω
Meaningto put down, i.e. quell
KJV usageappease, quiet.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of katastéllō — 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 katastéllō, represented by G2687, means to put down or quell. It is used in scripture to mean appease or quiet. This term appears 2 times across 2 unique verses, highlighting a specific application of bringing calm to a disruptive situation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

Both occurrences of G2687 are found in the same event in the book of Acts. A townclerk G1122 in Ephesus successfully appeased G2687 a chaotic multitude G3793 that had erupted in a riot Acts 19:35. After getting their attention, he directly instructs the crowd that they ought to be quiet G2687 and do nothing rashly G4312 in light of facts that could not be disputed G368 Acts 19:36. The word therefore describes both the act of pacifying a group and the state of calm that the group should adopt.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which G2687 is used:

  • G1122 grammateús (scribe, town-clerk): This term identifies the civil authority who performs the action of appeasing the people, using reason to restore order Acts 19:35.
  • G3793 óchlos (multitude, rabble): This refers to the throng of people, the agitated crowd that needed to be quieted G2687 by the townclerk Acts 19:35.
  • G4312 propetḗs (heady, rashly): This word is presented as the direct opposite of the desired state of quietness. The townclerk urges the crowd to be quiet specifically to prevent them from doing something rashly Acts 19:36.

Theological Significance

The practical instruction surrounding G2687 emphasizes the value of composure and reason over mob-like passion.

  • Quelling Disorder: The word's primary function in scripture is to demonstrate the de-escalation of a volatile civil disturbance. The townclerk appeased G2687 a people G3793 who were full of wrath Acts 19:35.
  • A Call for Quiet Composure: The townclerk's counsel is that when faced with indisputable G368 truths, the proper response is to be quiet G2687 and exist G5225 in a state of calm Acts 19:36.
  • An Antidote to Rashness: The command to be quiet G2687 is given as a direct preventative measure against doing something rashly G4312, showing that a calm and settled state is necessary for sound judgment Acts 19:36.

Summary

In summary, G2687 katastéllō provides a clear and practical illustration of bringing peace to a tumultuous situation. Though its usage is limited, it powerfully contrasts the chaos of a passionate crowd with the wisdom of a quiet and deliberate response. It underscores the principle that being appeased or quiet is essential to prevent rash and regrettable actions.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
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.

G1122 γραμματεύς from γράμμα. a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary:--scribe, town-clerk. G3793 ὄχλος from a derivative of ἔχω (meaning a vehicle); a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a cla G4312 προπετής from a compound of πρό and πίπτω; falling forward, i.e. headlong (figuratively, precipitate):--heady, rash(-ly). G368 ἀναντίῤῥητος from Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of a compound of ἀντί and ῥέω; indisputable:--cannot be spoken G5225 ὑπάρχω from ὑπό and ἄρχομαι; to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist

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

2 verses, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.