2635. katalaleó

Lexicon

katalaleó: To speak against, to slander, to speak evil of

Original Word: καταλαλέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katalaleó
Pronunciation: kat-al-al-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al-al-eh'-o)
Definition: To speak against, to slander, to speak evil of
Meaning: I speak evil of, rail at, slander.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

speak evil of.

From katalalos; to be a traducer, i.e. To slander -- speak against (evil of).

see GREEK katalalos

HELPS Word-studies

2635 katalaléō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," intensifying 2980 /laléō, "to prattle on") – properly, speak down to in a hostile, deriding way; to mock (revile), detracting from someone's reputation by "malice of speech directed against one's neightbor" (DNTT, 4,4); to defame, slander (backbite).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from katalalos
Definition
to speak evil of
NASB Translation
slander (1), slandered (1), speak against (1), speaks against (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2635: καταλαλέω

καταλαλέω, καταλάλω; to speak against one, to criminate, traduce: τίνος (in classical Greek mostly with the accusative; in the Sept. chiefly followed by κατά τίνος), James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:16 (here T Tr marginal reading WH, ἐν ᾧ καταλαλεῖσθε, wherein ye are spoken against).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From κατά (kata, meaning "against") and λαλέω (laleō, meaning "to speak" or "to talk").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for καταλαλέω, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words related to slander or speaking evil, such as רָכִיל (rakil, meaning "slander" or "gossip") and דִּבָּה (dibbah, meaning "bad report" or "slander"). These terms capture the essence of speaking against others in a harmful manner, as seen in various Old Testament passages.

Usage: The term καταλαλέω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of speaking ill or slandering others. It conveys a sense of malicious intent in speech, often aimed at damaging someone's reputation or character.

Context: The Greek verb καταλαλέω appears in several New Testament passages, emphasizing the moral and ethical implications of speech within the Christian community. It is often associated with behaviors that are contrary to the teachings of Christ, highlighting the destructive power of words when used to harm others.

In James 4:11, the Berean Standard Bible (BSB) states, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it." This passage underscores the importance of refraining from slanderous speech, as it not only harms relationships but also stands in opposition to the law of love that governs Christian conduct.

Similarly, 1 Peter 2:1 (BSB) advises believers to "rid yourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." Here, καταλαλέω is listed among other vices that believers are urged to abandon, reflecting the transformative nature of the Christian life that seeks to build up rather than tear down.

The use of καταλαλέω in the New Testament serves as a warning against the misuse of speech and the ethical responsibility of believers to use their words to edify and encourage rather than to harm and destroy. It calls for a community characterized by love, respect, and truthfulness, where speech is used to reflect the character of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

καταλαλει καταλαλεί καταλαλεῖ καταλαλείν καταλαλεισθε καταλαλεῖσθε καταλαλειτε καταλαλείτε καταλαλείτέ καταλαλεῖτε καταλαλήσαι καταλαλήσουσι καταλαλούμενα καταλαλούντα καταλαλουσιν καταλαλούσιν καταλαλοῦσιν καταλαλων καταλαλών καταλαλῶν καταλαλώσιν κατελάλει κατελάλεις κατελαλήσαμεν κατελάλησαν κατελάλουν katalalei katalaleî katalaleisthe katalaleîsthe katalaleite katalaleîte katalalon katalalôn katalalōn katalalō̂n katalalousin katalaloûsin

Englishman's Concordance

James 4:11 V-PMA-2P
GRK: Μὴ καταλαλεῖτε ἀλλήλων ἀδελφοί
NAS: Do not speak against one another,
KJV: not evil one of another,
INT: not speak against one another brothers

James 4:11 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἀδελφοί ὁ καταλαλῶν ἀδελφοῦ ἢ
NAS: Do not speak against one another,
KJV: brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother,
INT: brothers He that speaks against [his] brother or

James 4:11 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ καταλαλεῖ νόμου καὶ
NAS: brethren. He who speaks against a brother
KJV: brother, speaketh evil of the law,
INT: brother of him speaks against [the] law and

1 Peter 2:12 V-PIA-3P
GRK: ἐν ᾧ καταλαλοῦσιν ὑμῶν ὡς
NAS: that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers,
KJV: whereas they speak against you
INT: wherein which they speak against you as

1 Peter 3:16 V-PIM/P-2P
GRK: ἐν ᾧ καταλαλεῖσθε καταισχυνθῶσιν οἱ
NAS: that in the thing in which you are slandered, those
KJV: whereas they speak evil of you,
INT: in which they may speak against you they might be ashamed who

Strong's Greek 2635
5 Occurrences

καταλαλεῖ — 1 Occ.
καταλαλεῖσθε — 1 Occ.
καταλαλεῖτε — 1 Occ.
καταλαλῶν — 1 Occ.
καταλαλοῦσιν — 1 Occ.