"lower, farther down; of time, under, Mt. 2:16*"
Definition and meaning
lower, farther down; of time, under, Mt. 2:16*
In the original Greek the word is written: κατωτέρω
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 katotero (G2736) across the King James Bible.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
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Common questions
Strong's G2736 (katotero) is a Greek word that means: lower, farther down; of time, under, Mt. 2:16* It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word katotero (G2736) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2736 is katotero, a Greek word defined as: lower, farther down; of time, under, Mt. 2:16*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
katotero is a Greek word found in the New Testament.