### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun G2697 (κατάσχεσις, *katáschesis*) is derived from the verb `{{G2722}}` *katechō*, which fundamentally means "to hold down," "to hold fast," "to restrain," or "to possess." The prefix κατά (kata - `{{G2596}}`) often intensifies the action of the verb or indicates a downward motion, suggesting a firm, secure grip or establishment. Thus, κατάσχεσις signifies the act of "holding down," "occupancy," or "secure possession." It conveys the idea of taking firm hold of something and maintaining control or tenure over it, implying a sense of established ownership or occupation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G2697 (κατάσχεσις) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in [[Acts 7:45]]. In this passage, Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. He states:
> "which also our fathers, having received it in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the **possession** of the nations whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David." [[Acts 7:45]]
Here, "possession" refers explicitly to the land of Canaan, which the Israelites inherited and occupied after the conquest under Joshua. The use of κατάσχεσις underscores the physical, tangible, and secure holding of the territory. It highlights that this was not a temporary encampment but a divinely granted and militarily secured occupation of the land, an enduring tenure established by God's power and faithfulness in dispossessing the prior inhabitants. The context is deeply rooted in the Old Testament narrative of the Promised Land.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to G2697 is its root verb, `{{G2722}}` *katechō*, which itself carries the semantic range of holding, possessing, or restraining. Understanding the verb helps illuminate the noun's meaning of established tenure.
Conceptually, κατάσχεσις relates to several Old Testament themes and Hebrew terms concerning land and inheritance:
* **`{{H5159}}` *nachalah***: This is a very common Hebrew term for "inheritance" or "possession," frequently used in the Pentateuch and historical books to describe the land of Canaan as Israel's God-given inheritance (e.g., [[Numbers 34:2]], [[Joshua 1:6]]).
* **`{{H3423}}` *yerushah***: Another Hebrew term for "possession" or "inheritance," often used synonymously with *nachalah* (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 4:21]]).
* **`{{G2817}}` *klēronomia***: This Greek word, meaning "inheritance" or "heritage," is far more prevalent in the New Testament and often refers to both physical and spiritual inheritances, including the ultimate inheritance believers have in Christ (e.g., [[Ephesians 1:14]], [[Colossians 1:12]]). While κατάσχεσις specifically highlights the act of *holding* or *occupying*, *klēronomia* emphasizes the *received portion* or *heritage*.
* **`{{G2933}}` *ktēsis***: This term means "acquisition" or "possession" and can refer to the act of acquiring or the property acquired (e.g., [[Acts 8:20]] for money, [[Acts 2:45]] for possessions).
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular appearance, the theological significance of G2697 in [[Acts 7:45]] is profound. It serves as a crucial historical anchor in Stephen's defense, emphasizing the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham concerning the land ([[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:7]], [[Exodus 6:8]]). The "possession" (κατάσχεσις) of Canaan was a concrete demonstration of God's faithfulness, power, and sovereign will to dispossess other nations for His chosen people.
This physical possession of the land was not merely a historical event but a foundational element of Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God. It underscored the concept of divine grant and human reception, a pattern that would later find deeper spiritual expression in the New Covenant. While κατάσχεσις itself is not used to describe the believer's spiritual inheritance, the historical reality it describes serves as a type or foreshadowing of the ultimate spiritual "possession" and inheritance that believers have in Christ, which is secure and divinely guaranteed. It speaks to God's ability to deliver on His promises and establish His people securely in what He has given them.
### Summary
The Greek word G2697 (κατάσχεσις, *katáschesis*) denotes "a holding down, occupancy, or secure possession," derived from the verb `{{G2722}}` *katechō* (to hold fast). Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Acts 7:45]] refers to Israel's divinely granted and militarily secured **possession** of the Promised Land under Joshua. This usage highlights the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan. Theologically, κατάσχεσις in this context underscores God's faithfulness and power in establishing His people in their promised inheritance, serving as a historical precedent for understanding God's broader redemptive plan and the secure spiritual inheritance provided to believers in Christ.
TRV