καθέζομαι

I am sitting, sit, am seated

Definition

The verb καθέζομαι means 'to sit down,' 'to be seated,' or 'to take one's seat.' It describes the physical act of sitting, often implying a settled, deliberate, or stationary posture. In the New Testament, it is used for ordinary sitting (e.g., Jesus sitting by a well in John 4:6) and for sitting in a position of teaching or authority (e.g., Jesus sitting in the temple among the teachers in Luke 2:46). In a few instances, it describes a posture of mourning, as when Mary sat in the house after Lazarus's death (John 11:20).

Biblical Usage

This verb appears six times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels and Acts. It is used in narrative contexts to describe a person's physical position. Key examples include Jesus sitting to rest at Jacob's well (John 4:6), Mary sitting in mourning (John 11:20), angels sitting at the head and foot of Jesus's empty tomb (John 20:12), and Stephen's face appearing like an angel's as he sat before the council (Acts 6:15). It also appears in Jesus's rhetorical question about his arrest, noting he sat daily teaching in the temple (Matthew 26:55).

Etymology

Derived from the preposition κατά (kata, meaning 'down') combined with the verb ἕζομαι (hezomai, an older form meaning 'to sit'). It is a compound verb that literally means 'to sit down.' The simple verb ἕζομαι is rare in the New Testament, making this compounded form the more common way to express the act of sitting.

Semantic Range

While primarily a descriptive action verb, καθέζομαι gains theological significance in specific contexts. In Luke 2:46, the boy Jesus is found 'sitting' among the teachers, a posture associated with rabbinic instruction and authority, hinting at his divine wisdom. In John 20:12, the angels 'sitting' at the tomb signifies a state of watchful, triumphant testimony to the resurrection. The act of sitting can symbolize a position of teaching, judgment, or revelation.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, sitting was a common posture for teaching, learning, and holding court. Rabbis typically sat to teach (as in Matthew 26:55), while students sat at their feet. Sitting to mourn (John 11:20) was a customary practice, indicating grief and withdrawal from normal activity. The posture itself often conveyed a person's role or state of mind more deliberately than it might in modern casual settings.

κάθημαι (kathēmai, G2516) — A very close synonym, often used interchangeably for 'to sit' or 'to be seated,' though κάθημαι can imply a more permanent or habitual sitting. ἀνακλίνομαι (anaklinomai, G347) — To recline at a table, specifically for a meal. καθίζω (kathizō, G2523) — Often means 'to cause to sit' or 'to set,' and can also mean 'to sit down'; sometimes used for taking a formal seat of authority.

Word Details

Scripture References