Greek · G2596

κατά

According to

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κατά G2596
Pronunciation katá

What does κατά (katá) mean in the Bible?

Κατά is a Greek preposition with a wide range: according to, against, down, throughout, in relation to, by, or in keeping with. In many theological contexts it marks a standard, pattern, relation, or governing measure.

Reader summary

Full entry for κατά (G2596) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does κατά (katá) mean in the Bible?

Κατά is a Greek preposition with a wide range: according to, against, down, throughout, in relation to, by, or in keeping with. In many theological contexts it marks a standard, pattern, relation, or governing measure.

How does the BSB render G2596?

The BSB source-word alignment has 473 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include according to (63), vvv (52), against (45), in (41), by (38).

Where does κατά (katá) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 1:20. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (90), Romans (50), Luke (43), Hebrews (41).

What This Word Actually Means

Κατά is a Greek preposition with a wide range: according to, against, down, throughout, in relation to, by, or in keeping with. In many theological contexts it marks a standard, pattern, relation, or governing measure.

Pastorally, this word matters because Scripture often asks what standard governs a life or claim. According to the flesh is different from according to the Spirit. Human tradition is different from Christ. The death of Christ is according to the Scriptures.

The word should not be treated as a magic formula for conformity. It points to relation or standard, but the passage tells whether that standard is flesh, Spirit, Scripture, human tradition, accusation, direction, or distribution.

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