Word Study for G2702 (καταφέρω)

kataphérō /kat-af-er'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom κατά and φέρω (including its alternate)

Meaningto bear down, i.e. (figuratively) overcome (with drowsiness); specially, to cast a vote

KJV usagefall, give, sink down.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kataphérō — 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 kataphérō, represented by G2702, means to bear down. Appearing 3 times in 2 unique verses, it is derived from κατά and φέρω. The term is used figuratively to describe being overcome, such as with drowsiness, or more specifically, to cast a vote. Its meanings include to fall, give, or sink down.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The word G2702 is used in two distinct contexts in the book of Acts. In his defense, Paul recounts his past persecution of believers, stating that when the saints were put to death, "I gave my voice against them" Acts 26:10. This usage signifies a formal act of casting a vote. In a different narrative, a young man named Eutychus, listening to Paul preach, was "fallen into a deep sleep" and ultimately "sunk down with sleep," causing him to fall from a window Acts 20:9. Here, the word describes being physically overcome.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts of G2702:

G5586 psēphos (voice): This word, meaning a vote or verdict, is the object of Paul's action in Acts 26:10, where he casts his voice against the saints.
G5258 hýpnos (sleep): Eutychus was overcome with a deep sleep Acts 20:9. The term can also refer to a figurative spiritual torpor.
G4098 píptō (to fall): This word describes the direct result of Eutychus being "sunk down" by sleep, as he fell down from the third loft Acts 20:9.
G337 anairéō (put to death): This word describes the severe consequence that Paul voted for, when the saints were put to death Acts 26:10.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G2702 is revealed in its two powerful applications:

Deliberate Condemnation: Paul's use of the term demonstrates a conscious and authoritative decision against God's people. In "gave my voice," he admits his role in the persecution, exercising authority (G1849) he received from the chief priests (G749) to condemn the saints (G40) Acts 26:10.
Vulnerability to Drowsiness: The story of Eutychus serves as a literal illustration of being overcome. While Paul was preaching (G1256), Eutychus "sunk down" with sleep (G5258), leading to his death and subsequent miraculous restoration Acts 20:9. This highlights a physical and potentially spiritual vulnerability to inattentiveness.

Summary

In summary, kataphérō G2702 carries a dual meaning of being "borne down." It can depict a willful action, such as casting a condemnatory vote, or an involuntary state, like being overcome by sleep. Though used sparingly in scripture, its occurrences in Acts vividly illustrate both the sober reality of human opposition to the faith and the physical frailty that can lead to peril.

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 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

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

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.