καταλαμβάνω

katalambánō · Greek · Strong's G2638 · 17 occurrences

The KJV renders 15 different Hebrew and Greek words as “perceive”

What it means

to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)

from G2596 (κατά) and G2983 (λαμβάνω);

How the KJV renders it

apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, overtake

Where that flattens a distinction

The same English word is also used for these other originals, so the distinction between them disappears in translation.

“perceive”

also renders eídō (G1492), theōréō (G2334), blépō (G991), epiginṓskō (G1921), aisthánomai (G143), katanoéō (G2657), noiéō (G3539), heurískō (G2147), horáō (G3708), bîyn (H995), ṭâʻam (H2938), yâdaʻ (H3045), shûwr (H7789), shâmaʻ (H8085)

“obtain”

also renders ktáomai (G2932), peripoíēsis (G4047), lambánō (G2983), tynchánō (G5177), epitynchánō (G2013), kratéō (G2902), heurískō (G2147), lanchánō (G2975), râcham (H7355)

“attain”

also renders phthánō (G5348), lambánō (G2983), parakolouthéō (G3877), katantáō (G2658), yâkôl (H3201), nâsag (H5381), qânâh (H7069)

“find”

also renders aneurískō (G429), heurískō (G2147), chânan (H2603), râcham (H7355), shᵉkach (H7912)

“come upon”

also renders ʼâchaz (H270), lâbash (H3847)

“overtake”

also renders prolambánō (G4301), dâbaq (H1692)

“apprehend”

also renders piázō (G4084)

“comprehend”

also renders yâdaʻ (H3045)

Answers that weigh this word

Where it appears

17 occurrences in the Greek text, first 15 verses shown.

1 Corinthians 9:24 · V-2AAS-2P

Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, so that you may win.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 · V-2AAS-3S

But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.

Acts 4:13 · V-2AMP-NPM

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 10:34 · V-PMI-1S

Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism;

Acts 25:25 · V-2AMI-1S

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I determined to send him,

Ephesians 3:18 · V-2AMN

may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,

John 1:5 V-2AAI-3SJohn 6:17 V-2AAI-3SJohn 8:3 V-RPP-ASFJohn 8:4 V-API-3SJohn 12:35 V-2AAS-3SMark 9:18 V-2AAS-3SPhilippians 3:12 V-2AAS-1SPhilippians 3:13 V-RANRomans 9:30 V-2AAI-3S

Occurrences and morphology are taken from the primary Greek text, never from an English translation. Strong's Hebrew lexicon and Westminster Leningrad Codex morphology used under CC BY-SA 4.0 / CC BY 4.0 (OpenScriptures). Strong's Greek lexicon is public domain.