"to sit, be sitting, Mt. 9:9; Lk. 10:13; to be seated, 1 Cor. 14:30; to be enthroned, Rev. 18:7; to dwell, reside, Mt. 4:16; Lk. 1:79; 21:35"
Definition and meaning
to sit, be sitting, Mt. 9:9; Lk. 10:13; to be seated, 1 Cor. 14:30; to be enthroned, Rev. 18:7; to dwell, reside, Mt. 4:16; Lk. 1:79; 21:35
In the original Greek the word is written: κάθημαι
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 kathemai (G2521) across the King James Bible.
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
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Common questions
Strong's G2521 (kathemai) is a Greek word that means: to sit, be sitting, Mt. 9:9; Lk. 10:13; to be seated, 1 Cor. 14:30; to be enthroned, Rev. 18:7; to dwell, reside, Mt. 4:16; Lk. 1:79; 21:35 It appears 86 times in the King James Bible.
The word kathemai (G2521) appears 86 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2521 is kathemai, a Greek word defined as: to sit, be sitting, Mt. 9:9; Lk. 10:13; to be seated, 1 Cor. 14:30; to be enthroned, Rev. 18:7; to dwell, reside, Mt. 4:16; Lk. 1:79; 21:35. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kathemai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.