Greek word · G2678

κατασείω

kataseiō

to signal

Literally 'to shake down'. With 'the hand' it means a downward waving gesture that signals a crowd to be quiet, usually before someone speaks.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 01, 2026

What it means

κατα-σείω

[in LXX: Da TH Bel 1:14 AR, 1Ma.6:38 * ;]

1. to shake down.

2. Of the hand, to shake or wave as a signal: τ. χεῖρα, Acts 19:33; τ. χειρί, Acts 13:16; id. with dative of person(s), Acts 21:40; before inf., Acts 12:17.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 12:17

Range of meaning: Literally 'to shake down'. With 'the hand' it means a downward waving gesture that signals a crowd to be quiet, usually before someone speaks.
Against the English: KJV and WEB say 'beckoning', which today means calling someone toward you. Modern versions say 'motioned' or 'gestured', which is closer.
How it drifted: In older English 'beckon' could mean any silent gesture. The word has since narrowed to 'signal someone to come here'.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the New Testament it appears only in Acts, always as a speaker's gesture: Paul at Pisidian Antioch (13:16), Alexander in the Ephesus theatre riot (19:33), and Paul on the barracks steps (21:40). BDAG lists the same use in Hellenistic historians.

From the study of Acts 13:16

Range of meaning: Literally 'to shake down' (kata 'down' + seiō 'shake'). Used with 'the hand,' it means a downward waving motion that signals a crowd to be quiet and pay attention (BDAG: 'motion, make a sign').
Against the English: KJV's 'beckoning' (calling someone over) slightly misses it. Paul is not calling people toward him; he is quieting the room. 'Motioned' (BSB) and 'gesturing' (WEB) are safer.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the New Testament only Luke uses it, four times, and each time it comes before someone addresses a group: Peter to the believers (Acts 12:17, explicitly 'to be silent'), Alexander to the riot at Ephesus (19:33), Paul to the Jerusalem crowd (21:40), and here. Similar hand gestures for getting silence appear in Greek and Roman descriptions of public speakers.

From the study of Acts 21:40

Range of meaning: Literally "to shake down". With "the hand" it is a technical expression for a downward wave of the hand that signals a crowd to be quiet or calls for attention before speaking.
Against the English: KJV and WEB say "beckoned with the hand". BSB says "motioned". Most modern versions have "motioned" or "gestured".
How it drifted: In modern English "beckon" means waving someone toward you. In 1611 it could mean any signal made with the hand. Paul is not calling the crowd closer. He is asking for silence.
Used elsewhere in the period: Only in Acts in the NT, always for a speaker quieting an audience: Peter in 12:17 ("motioning with his hand to be silent"), Paul in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch (13:16), and Alexander before the Ephesus mob (19:33). Hellenistic historians and Josephus use it the same way. Ancient rhetorical teachers such as Quintilian discuss hand gestures as part of an orator's delivery.

Where it appears

Acts · 4

Acts 12:17 κατασείσας Having made a sign

Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Send word to James and to the brothers,” he said, and he left for another place.

Here: Literally 'shaking down' the hand: a downward wave a speaker makes to quiet a noisy crowd. Peter does it before saying anything, to calm the excited group at the door.
Acts 13:16 κατασείσας having made a sign

Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!

Here: Literally 'shaking down.' It was a speaker's hand signal asking a crowd for silence and attention. Only Luke uses it in the New Testament, always just before someone speaks to a group.
Acts 19:33 κατασείσας having motioned with

The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.
Acts 21:40 κατέσεισεν made a sign

Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:

Here: Literally "shook down". It is a downward motion of the hand that asks a crowd for quiet, the speaker's standard signal that he is about to speak. It does not mean calling people toward him.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.