"to trample upon, tread down or under feet, Mt. 5:13; 7:6; Lk. 8:5; 12:1; met. to trample on by indignity, spurn, Heb. 10:29*"
Definition and meaning
to trample upon, tread down or under feet, Mt. 5:13; 7:6; Lk. 8:5; 12:1; met. to trample on by indignity, spurn, Heb. 10:29*
In the original Greek the word is written: καταπατέω
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 katapateo (G2662) across the King James Bible.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
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Common questions
Strong's G2662 (katapateo) is a Greek word that means: to trample upon, tread down or under feet, Mt. 5:13; 7:6; Lk. 8:5; 12:1; met. to trample on by indignity, spurn, Heb. 10:29* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word katapateo (G2662) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2662 is katapateo, a Greek word defined as: to trample upon, tread down or under feet, Mt. 5:13; 7:6; Lk. 8:5; 12:1; met. to trample on by indignity, spurn, Heb. 10:29*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
katapateo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.