Quick Definition
I leave behind,abandon
Strong's Definition
to leave down, i.e. behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
Derivation: from G2596 (κατά) and G3007 (λείπω);
KJV Usage: forsake, leave, reserve
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
καταλείπω; future καταλείψω; 1 aorist κατελειψα (in later authors; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 713ff; (Veitch, under the word λείπω; WH's Appendix, p. 169f)); 2 aorist κατέλιπον; passive, present καταλείπομαι; perfect participle καταλελειμμένος (WH καταλελιμμενος, see (their Appendix, p. 154b, and) under the word Iota); 1 aorist κατελείφθην; (see κατά, III. 5); the Sept. for δεϊΔιψ, δΔωΐΡΰΔιψ, ςΘζΗα; (from Homer down); to leave behind; with the accusative of place or person;
a. equivalent to to depart from, leave, a person or thing: Mat_4:13; Mat_16:4; Mat_21:17; Heb_11:27; metaphorically, εὐθεῖαν ὁδόν, to forsake true religion, 2Pe_2:15. passive to be left: Joh_8:9; equivalent to to remain, followed by ἐν with the dative of place, 1Th_3:1.
b. equivalent to to bid (one) to remain: τινα in a place, Act_18:19; Tit_1:5 (R G; others ἀπολείπω).
c. to forsake, leave to oneself a person or thing, by ceasing to care for it, to abandon, leave in the lurch: καταλείψει ... τόν πατέρα καί τήν μητέρα, Mat_19:5; Mar_10:7; Eph_5:31, from Gen_2:24; passive to be abandoned, forsaken: εἰς ᾅδου (or ᾅδην (which see 2)), Act_2:31 Rec. (see ἐγκαταλείπω, 1); with the accusative of the thing, Mar_14:52; Luke (); ; τόν λόγον, to neglect the office of instruction, Act_6:2.
d. to cause to be left over, to reserve, to leave remaining: ἐμαυτῷ, Rom_11:4 (1Ki_19:18); καταλείπεται, there still remains, ἐπαγγελία, a promise (to be made good by the event), Heb_4:1 (μάχη, Xenophon, Cyril 2, 3, 11; σωτηρίας ἐλπίς, Josephus, b. j. 4, 5, 4); τινα with an infinitive (to leave any business to be done by one alone), Luk_10:40.
e. like our leave behind, it is used of one who on being called away cannot take another with him: Act_24:27; Act_25:14; specifically, of the dying (to leave behind), Mar_12:19 ( L marginal reading T Tr WH); Luk_20:31 (Deu_28:54; Pro_20:7; and often in Greek writings from Homer Iliad 24, 726; Odyssey 21, 33 on).
f. like our leave equivalent to leave alone, disregard: of those who sail past a place without stopping, Act_21:3. (Compare: ἐγκαταλείπω.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
καταλείπω kataleipō 24x
to leave behind; to leave behind at death, Mar_12:19 ;
to relinquish, let remain, Mar_14:52 ;
to quit, depart from, forsake, Mat_4:13 ; Mat_16:4 ;
to neglect, Act_6:2 ;
to leave alone, or without assistance, Luk_10:40 ;
to reserve, Rom_11:4 depart; leave behind.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
κατα -λείπω ,
[in LXX chiefly far H7604 , ni ., hi ., also for H5800 , H3498 , etc.;]
1, to leave behind, leave: c . acc pers . ( rei ), Mat_4:13 , Mar_12:19 ; Mar_12:21 , Luk_20:31 , Act_24:27 ; Act_25:14 , Heb_11:27 ; of sailing by a place, Act_21:3 ; ptcp ., καταλιπών , redundant ( Dalman, Words , 21 f .), Mat_16:4 ; Mat_21:17 ; pass ., Joh_8:9 , 1Th_3:1 ; metaph ., εὐθεῖαν ὁδόν , 2Pe_2:15 .
2. to forsake, abandon: Mat_19:5 , Mar_10:7 ( LXX ) Mar_14:52 , Luk_5:28 ; Luk_15:4 , Act_6:2 , Eph_5:31 ( LXX ).
3. to leave remaining, reserve: c . acc et inf ., Luk_10:40 ; ἐμαυτῷ , Rom_11:4 ( LXX ); pass ., Heb_4:1 ( cf. ἐν -κατα -λείπω ).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
καταλείπω [page 329]
For the 1st aor. formation κατέλειψα , as in Act_6:2 , cf. P Giss I. 69 .6 (A.D. 1 18 9) αὐτὸν παρὰ σοὶ κατέλειψα , P Ryl II. 153 .18 (A.D. 138 61) ὂ̣ν̣ κατέλειψα ἐν Ζμύρνῃ τῆς Ἀσίας παρὰ τροφῷ θηλάζοντα , and the exx. in Deissmann BS p. 190. The verb is very common of property left or bequeathed, as in P Eleph 2 .8 (B.C. 285 4) ἐὰν δέ τι πάσχηι Διονύσιος , καταλείπειν τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὑτοῦ πάντα Καλλίσται , P Magd 13 .4 (B.C. 217) ἐπιζητοῦντές τινα μέρη τῶν καταλειφθέντων ὑπαρχόντων ὑπὸ Φιλίππου , P Tebt II. 380 .22 (A.D. 67) καταλιφθησωμένων ὑπαρχόντων ἁπάντων , ib. 327 .14 (late ii/A.D.τετελευτηκότος ἀ̣π̣[όρου ] μηδὲ ἒ̣ν̣ κ̣α̣ταλείπ̣[οντο ]̓ , he died without means, leaving nothing at all (Edd. ), ib. 406 .8 ( c. A.D. 266) λόγος ὧν κατάλειψεν ( l. κατέλ ) Παῦλος γενόμ [ε ]νός μου ἀ [ν ]ήρ , account of effects left by Paulus, my late husband (Edd.). With the usage in Mar_10:7 we may compare P Oxy III. 526 .4 (ii/A.D.) οὐκ ἤμην ἀπαθὴς ἀλόγως σε καταλείπιν , to leave you in the lurch without reason : see also P Lond 897 .8.f (A.D. 84) (= III. p. 207) ἥδιστα πάντας καταλείψωι εἵνα μὴ τὴν πρός σε φιλείαν καταλείψωι , and P Oxy I. 120 verso .6 (iv/A.D.) ἀλ᾽ ( l. ἀλλ᾽ ὅρα μὴ καταλίψῃς μαι θλιβόμενον , whatever you do, do not fail me in my trouble (Edd.). Similarly for Heb_4:1 we may cite P Lond 1171 .43 (B.C. 8) (= III. p. 179), accounts with reference to ἄρακος as fodder for flocks
γίνονται ἀρ (άκου ) ο̄ σκ
καταλείπονται ἀρ (άκου ) ο̄ υλγ
For καταλιμπάνω (cf. Gen_39:16 ) see P Petr I. 149 (a will B.C. 237) καταλιμπάνω τὰ ὑπ [άρχοντα κτλ ., ib. 15 .17 (B.C. 237), and P Grenf I, 1 .8 (ii/B.C.) ὀδύνη μ᾽ ἔχει ὅταν ἀναμνησθῶ ὥς με κατεφίλει ἐπιβούλως μέλλων με καταλιμπάν [ει ]ν .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
καταλείπω epic also καλλείπω fut. καλλείψω aor2 κάλλι^πον ionic imperf. καταλείπεσκον [Etym: fut. mid. in pass. sense] fut. καταλειφθήσομαι "to leave behind", Il. ; esp. of persons dying or going into a far country, οἷόν μιν Τροίηνδε κιὼν κατέλειπεν Ὀδυσσεύς Od. ; κ. τινὰ μόνον Soph. , etc.; so in Mid., καταλείπεσθαι παῖδας "to leave behind one", Hdt. , etc.: —Pass. καταλελειμμένος τοῦ ἄλλου στρατοῦ "being" part of the army "left behind", id=Hdt. "to leave as an heritage", Od. , attic; καταλείψει οὐδὲ ταφῆναι "will leave" not enough to be buried with, Ar. in Mid., simply, "to leave" in a certain state, Hdt. "to forsake, abandon, leave in the lurch", Hom. , attic "to leave remaining", ὀκτὼ μόνον Xen. : Mid. "to reserve for oneself", id=Xen. :—Pass., καταλείπεται μάχη "yet remains to be fought" id=Xen. "to leave alone", id=Xen.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
κατα-λείπω
[in LXX chiefly far שָׁאַר, ni., hi., also for עָזַב, יָתַר, etc. ;]
__1 1, to leave behind, leave: with accusative of person(s) (of thing(s)), Mat.4:13, Mrk.12:19, 21, Luk.20:31, Act.24:27 25:14, Heb.11:27; of sailing by a place, Act.21:3; ptcp., καταλιπών, redundant (Dalman, Words, 21 f.), Mat.16:4 21:17; pass., Jhn.8:9, 1Th.3:1; metaphorically, εὐθεῖαν ὁδόν, 2Pe.2:15.
__2. to forsake, abandon: Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:7" (LXX) Mrk.14:52, Luk.5:28 15:4, Act.6:2, Eph.5:31" (LXX) .
__3. to leave remaining, reserve: with accusative and inf., Luk.10:40; ἐμαυτῷ, Rom.11:4 (LXX); pass., Heb.4:1 (cf. ἐν-κατα-λείπω).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Left (leave) (2641) kataleipo
Left (2641) (kataleipo from kata = intensifies or strengthens the meaning of leipo + leipo = to leave behind, forsake, to be wanting or deficient) literally means to leave behind or leave remaining (of a person or place - Mt 4:13, 16:4, 21:17, He 11:27).
Kataleipo is often used to indicate abandoning a heritage, giving up riches, and leaving one's native land.
Figuratively kataleipo was used to mean "neglect" (Acts 6:2).
Kataleipo conveys a strong sense of to abandon or forsake (as forsaking true Christianity 2Pe 2:15).
To cause something to be left over and so to remain in existence (Ro 11:4-note, Heb 4:1-note = a promise remains). To leave without help (Lk 10:40). In the passive to remain behind (1Th 3:1-note, John 8:9).
To leave alone in the sense of disregard as describing those who sail past a place without stopping (Acts 21:3)
Kataleipo can mean to cease an activity (eg, give up a vice) but there are no uses with this sense in Scripture.
In Ps 49:10 ("leave their wealth") kataleipo conveys the sense of to leave behind or bequeath.
Kataleipo - 24x in 24v - NAS = forsaking(1), kept(1), leave(4), leaves behind(1), leaving(3), leaving behind(1), left(8), left behind(1), left...behind(1), neglect(1), pulled free(1), remains(1). Note that the Textus Receptus has one additional use in Titus 1:5 (note)
Matthew 4:13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.
Matthew 16:4 "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away.
Comment: Constable quoting Plummer "He turned His back on these religious leaders because they were hopeless and incorrigible."
Matthew 19:5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'?
Matthew 21:17 And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.
Mark 10:7 "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER,
Comment: The Greek word leipo means “to leave.” But the word used here is an intensified form, kataleipo, and means “to abandon completely.” Married couples run into a big problem if they don’t leave their mothers and fathers completely when they step into the marriage relationship. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t talk to their parents anymore; it means they need to have a conscious understanding of the new relationship that has been formed. (MacArthur, J. . The fulfilled family. Chicago: Moody Press)
There’s a vital severing of the parent-child relationship that must occur when a couple gets married. Marriage doesn’t utterly terminate the relationship with parents, of course. Nor does it eliminate the child’s responsibility to honor the father and mother. But it does take the child out from under the parents’ direct chain of command, and it establishes a whole new home with a whole new headship. The new husband becomes head of the wife. The married couple are no longer children under their parents’ direct oversight, and the parents are no longer directly responsible for them. Leaving father and mother is an essential part of every marriage. When young couples try to “cleave” but have forgotten to “leave,” it creates havoc in the young marriage. (MacArthur, J. (1998). Successful Christian parenting: Word Pub)
Mark 12:19 "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN'S BROTHER DIES and leaves behind a wife AND LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER.
Mark 12:21 "The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise
Mark 14:52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.
Luke 5:28 And he left everything behind (Refers to Levi = Matthew, the tax collector when Jesus commanded him "Follow [present imperative = speaks of one's lifestyle, not just a one time decision!] Me" Lk 5:27), and got up and began to follow Him. (Discipleship is associated with a radical call to leave all! See the same idea in Luke 5:11. Hesitation to His call is disobedience - see Lk 9:59, 60, 61, 62. The rich young ruler went away from Jesus rather than leave everything for Jesus - Mt 19:22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."
Luke 15:4 "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
Luke 20:31 and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children.
John 8:9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.
Acts 6:2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
Acts 18:19 They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
Acts 21:3 When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo.
Acts 24:27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
Acts 25:14 While they were spending many days there, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix;
Romans 11:4-note But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL."
Ephesians 5:31-note FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-note Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,
Hebrews 4:1-note Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
Hebrews 11:27-note By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
2Peter 2:15-note forsaking (present tense = emphasizes habitual action = as shown by their "lifestyle") the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
Kataleipo - 276 uses in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) - Gen 2:24; 7:23; 14:10; 33:15; 39:12f, 15, 18; 42:38; 44:22; Ex 2:20; 8:31; 10:5; 12:10; 14:28; 16:19f, 23f; 29:34; 39:1; Lev 2:10; 5:13; 6:16; 7:15, 17; 8:32; 10:6, 12, 16; 14:17f, 29; 19:6, 10; 25:52; 26:36, 39; Num 9:12; 11:26; 21:35; 26:65; 32:15; 33:55; Deut 2:34; 3:3, 11; 4:27; 7:20; 28:51, 54f, 62; 29:25; 31:17; Josh 8:17, 22; 10:28, 30, 33, 39f; 11:8, 11, 14, 22; 13:2, 12; 17:6; 18:2; 21:5, 20, 40; 23:4, 7; 24:16; Judg 2:21; 4:16; 6:4; 8:10; 9:5; Ruth 1:3, 5, 16; 2:11, 14, 18; 1 Sam 2:11; 30:13; 31:7; 2 Sam 13:30; 14:7; 16:21; 17:13; 1 Kgs 11:33; 19:18, 20; 2 Kgs 2:2; 3:25; 4:43f; 7:13; 8:6; 10:11, 14, 17, 21; 25:11, 22; 1 Chr 4:43; 10:7; 16:37; 28:9; 2 Chr 1:14; 8:7f; 10:8; 21:17; 28:6; 30:6; 31:10; 34:21; Ezra 1:4; 9:8, 15; Neh 1:2f; 3:8; 6:1; Job 6:18; Ps 49:10; Pr 12:11; 14:26; 20:7; Isa 3:26; 4:2f; 6:11f; 7:3, 16, 22; 10:3, 14, 19, 20, 21; 11:11, 16; 13:12, 14; 16:14; 17:2, 6, 10; 18:6; 21:10; 23:15; 24:6, 12, 14; 27:10; 28:5f; 30:17f; 37:4, 31f; 38:10, 12; 39:6; 49:21; 54:6f; 62:4; 65:15; 66:19; Jer 2:17, 19; 8:3; 9:2; 17:13; 21:7; 27:11; 34:7; 37:10; 38:4, 22; 40:6; 41:10; 42:2; 43:6; 44:7; 48:28; 49:9; 52:16; Lam 2:22; 5:20; Ezek 36:4, 36; 39:14; Da 2:35; 10:8, 13, 17; 11:30; Zech 11:17; 14:16.
One of the interesting uses of kataleipo in the Lxx which is not found in the NT is to describe the Remnant of Israel (eg, see Ezra 9:8, 15, Neh 1:3, Isa 4:2, 3, 10:19, 20, 21, 11:11, 16, 16:14, 28:5, 37:4, 37:31, 32)
The wrath of the king - We read about this in Exodus 10...
Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Beware, do not see my face again, for in the day you see my face you shall die!” Moses said, “You are right; I shall never see your face again!” (Exodus 10:28, 29)
As discussed in the beginning of this note, the Pharaoh's rage could have generated fear in Moses had he had taken "up the shield of faith" and was able to fend off the fiery missiles of the evil one's (Satan's) representative (cp Eph 6:16-note).
MacArthur reminds us that...
Fear is one of Satan’s most effective, and therefore most used, weapons. We are afraid of being thought different, or of losing our job, reputation, or popularity. We are afraid of criticism, often from people that we do not even respect. (MacArthur, John: Hebrews. Moody Press)
