Introduction

In Biblical studies, understanding Greek words provides deeper insights into the original meaning and context of the scriptures. One such word is καταπλέω (katapleō), which is particularly significant in interpreting passages related to maritime journeys in the New Testament and ancient Greek literature. This verb, often translated as “to sail down” or “to arrive by sea,” carries connotations of travel, exploration, and arrival, making it an important term for understanding both the physical and metaphorical journeys depicted in ancient texts.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: καταπλέω (katapleō) [ka-ta-PLEH-oh]
• Etymology: Derived from the prefix κατά (kata), meaning “down” or “against,” and the verb πλέω (pleō), meaning “to sail.”
• Part of Speech: Verb. It primarily appears in the active voice and can be conjugated across different tenses and moods.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To sail down or to sail towards a specific location.
• To arrive at a destination by sea.
• To make landfall after a journey across the sea.

Similar Words

• πλέω (pleō) [PLEH-oh]: Means “to sail.” It is the root form and lacks the directional or arrival connotation of καταπλέω.
• ἀποπλέω (apopleō) [a-po-PLEH-oh]: Means “to sail away.” Unlike καταπλέω, it emphasizes departure rather than arrival.
• προσπλέω (prospleō) [pros-PLEH-oh]: Means “to sail towards.” This word also involves sailing but focuses on the direction of sailing rather than the act of making landfall.

Morphological Features

• Tense, Voice, Mood: καταπλέω appears in several tenses (present, future, aorist) and is typically found in the active voice. It is used in various moods, including indicative, subjunctive, and imperative.

Examples of Morphological Usage

• Present Indicative Active: Describes a continuous or habitual action.
• 1st Person Singular: καταπλέω (I sail down)
• 3rd Person Plural: καταπλέουσι(ν) (they sail down)
• Aorist Indicative Active: Indicates a simple, completed action in the past.
• 1st Person Singular: κατέπλευσα (I sailed down)
• 3rd Person Plural: κατέπλευσαν (they sailed down)
• Future Indicative Active: Indicates an action that will happen in the future.
• 1st Person Singular: καταπλεύσω (I will sail down)
• 3rd Person Plural: καταπλεύσουσι(ν) (they will sail down)
• Aorist Subjunctive Active: Used to express potential or purpose.
• 1st Person Singular: καταπλεύσω (that I might sail down)
• 2nd Person Plural: καταπλεύσητε (that you might sail down)
• Aorist Imperative Active: A command to perform the action.
• 2nd Person Singular: κατάπλευσε (sail down!)
• 2nd Person Plural: καταπλεύσατε (sail down, you all!)

Below is a conjugation table for the Present Indicative Active form of καταπλέω:

Aspect: The verb καταπλέω conveys different aspects depending on the tense. The imperfective aspect (present tense) emphasizes ongoing or repeated action, while the perfective aspect (aorist tense) highlights a single, completed action of sailing and arriving. The future aspect indicates an action that is anticipated to occur.

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

The Greek word καταπλέω (katapleō) is utilized in the New Testament and other early Christian writings to describe journeys by sea, often indicating the arrival of individuals or groups at a specific destination. It appears in Luke 8:26, where it describes Jesus and His disciples arriving by boat in the region of the Gerasenes after crossing the Sea of Galilee. This word emphasizes the completion of a sea journey and the act of making landfall, which is significant in the context of ancient travel, where arriving by sea was often fraught with peril, and reaching the shore signified success and safety.

In classical Greek literature, καταπλέω is more commonly found in texts describing naval expeditions, trade voyages, or exploratory journeys. It highlights the arrival phase of a sea voyage, often used in contrast with verbs that indicate departure. The word also conveys a sense of conclusion or fulfillment of a journey, which has both literal and metaphorical implications, especially in works discussing human endeavors or divine interventions.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Related Scripture References

• Luke 8:26: “Then they sailed (κατέπλευσαν) to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.”

Classical Usage

Summary of καταπλέω (G2668)

The Greek word καταπλέω (katapleō) is key to understanding ancient Greek maritime terminology, particularly concerning the completion of a sea journey or arrival at a destination. While it appears only once in the New Testament in Luke 8:26, its significance in classical and Septuagint texts adds to our understanding of how sea travel was conceptualized and narrated in ancient times. It provides valuable insights into the experiences of ancient voyagers and the symbolic meaning of arrival after a perilous journey.

Did You Know?

1. καταπλέω is often used in military contexts in classical Greek literature to describe the strategic arrival of fleets at enemy shores.
2. The term underscores the importance of safe arrival in ancient seafaring, a concept that carried both practical and symbolic weight.
3. In the Septuagint, καταπλέω is used to describe the journeys of ships in passages that often have prophetic or narrative significance.