2508. kathairó
Strong's Lexicon
kathairó: To cleanse, to purify, to prune

Original Word: καθαίρω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kathairó
Pronunciation: kath-ah-ee'-ro
Phonetic Spelling: (kath-ah'-ee-ro)
Definition: To cleanse, to purify, to prune
Meaning: I cleanse, purify, prune.

Word Origin: From the Greek root καθαρός (katharos), meaning "clean" or "pure."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of cleansing and purification in Hebrew is often associated with the root טָהֵר (taher), Strong's Hebrew 2891, which means to be clean or pure.

Usage: The verb καθαίρω (kathairó) primarily means to cleanse or purify. In a metaphorical sense, it is used to describe the act of pruning, as in the removal of superfluous branches to promote growth and fruitfulness. This term is often used in the context of spiritual purification and moral cleansing, emphasizing the removal of sin and impurities from one's life.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, the concept of cleansing was significant in both religious and everyday contexts. Ritual purification was a common practice in various religious ceremonies, symbolizing the removal of defilement and the restoration of purity. In agriculture, pruning was an essential practice to ensure the health and productivity of plants, particularly vines. This agricultural metaphor was easily understood by the agrarian societies of the biblical world and was used by Jesus to illustrate spiritual truths.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2508 kathaírō – make clean by purging (removing undesirable elements); hence, "pruned (purged)"; eliminating what is fruitless by purifying (making unmixed). See 2513 (katharos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from katharos
Definition
to cleanse
NASB Translation
prunes (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2508: καθαίρω

καθαίρω; perfect passive participle κεκαθαρμενος; (καθαρός); to cleanse, properly, from filth, impurity, etc.; trees and vines (from useless shoots), to prune, John 15:2 (δένδρα ... ὑποτεμνομενα καθαίρεται, Philo de agric. § 2 (cf. de somniis ii. § 9 middle)); metaphorically, from guilt, to expiate: passive Hebrews 10:2 R G (see καθαρίζω, at the beginning) (Jeremiah 13:27; and so in Greek writings from Herodotus down). (Compare: διακαθαίρω, ἐκκαθαίρω.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
purge.

From katharos; to cleanse, i.e. (specially) to prune; figuratively, to expiate -- purge.

see GREEK katharos

Forms and Transliterations
εκάθαιρε καθαιρει καθαίρει καθαιρείται κεκαθαρμένους kathairei kathaírei
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
John 15:2 V-PIA-3S
GRK: καρπὸν φέρον καθαίρει αὐτὸ ἵνα
NAS: fruit, He prunes it so
KJV: fruit, he purgeth it,
INT: fruit bears he prunes it that

Strong's Greek 2508
1 Occurrence


καθαίρει — 1 Occ.















2507
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