Greek word · G2721
κατεφίστημι
katephistēmi
to attack
A compound of kata (down, against) and ephistēmi (to stand over, to come upon suddenly). It means to rise up against or set upon someone with hostile intent. It is a rare word in Greek generally.
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
A compound of kata (down, against) and ephistēmi (to stand over, to come upon suddenly). It means to rise up against or set upon someone with hostile intent. It is a rare word in Greek generally.
- Against the English
Renderings vary: 'rose up against' (WEB, NASB), 'made a united attack' (ESV, NIV), 'coordinated an attack' (BSB), 'made a rush upon' (YLT), 'made insurrection' (KJV). None of these is badly wrong. 'Insurrection' suggests a revolt against the government, which the Greek does not mean.
- How it drifted
In 1611 'insurrection' could mean any rising up. Modern English uses it almost only for rebellion against the state.
- Used elsewhere in the period
This is its only appearance in the New Testament, and it does not appear in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament). BDAG gives 'rise up against, attack'. Its simpler relative ephistēmi is common in Luke–Acts for people arriving suddenly or confronting someone (e.g. Acts 4:1; 6:12; 17:5).
Where it appears
Acts · 1
-
Acts 18:12 κατεπέστησαν rose up
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
Here: Found only here in the New Testament. It pictures a group moving on someone in a hostile way, standing over him and closing in. The aorist tense presents it as one decisive act.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.