"pr. a casting down; laying the foundation, foundation; beginning, commencement, Mt. 13:35; 25:34; conception in the womb, Heb. 11:11"
Definition and meaning
pr. a casting down; laying the foundation, foundation; beginning, commencement, Mt. 13:35; 25:34; conception in the womb, Heb. 11:11
In the original Greek the word is written: καταβολή
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of katabole (G2602) across the King James Bible.
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
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Common questions
Strong's G2602 (katabole) is a Greek word that means: pr. a casting down; laying the foundation, foundation; beginning, commencement, Mt. 13:35; 25:34; conception in the womb, Heb. 11:11 It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word katabole (G2602) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2602 is katabole, a Greek word defined as: pr. a casting down; laying the foundation, foundation; beginning, commencement, Mt. 13:35; 25:34; conception in the womb, Heb. 11:11. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
katabole is a Greek word found in the New Testament.