Quick Definition
a downcast countenance, gloom,dejection
Strong's Definition
demureness, i.e. (by implication) sadness
Derivation: from a compound of G2596 (κατά) and perhaps a derivative of the base of G5316 (φαίνω) (meaning downcast in look);
KJV Usage: heaviness
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
κατήφεια, κατηφειας, ἡ (from κατηφής, of a downcast look; and this from κατά, and τά φαη the eyes; Etym. Magn. (496, 53) κατήφεια. ἀπό τοῦ κάτω τά φαη βάλλειν τούς ὀνειδιζομενους ἤ λυπουμενους; because, as Plutarch,de dysopia (others,de vitioso pudore (528 e.))
c. 1 says, it is λύπη κάτω βλέπειν ποιοῦσα), properly, a downcast look expressive of sorrow; hence, shame, dejection, gloom (A. V. heaviness"): Jas_4:9. (Homer, Iliad 3, 51; 16, 498 etc.; Thucydides 7, 75; Josephus, Antiquities 13, 16, 1; Plutarch, Cor. 20; (Pelop. 33, 3, and often; Dionysius Halicarnassus, Char., etc.); often in Philo.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
κατήφεια katēpheia 1x
dejection, sorrow, Jas_4:9
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* κατήφεια , -ας , ἡ
( < κατηφής , downcast , Wis_17:4 * ),
dejection: Jas_4:9 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
κατήφεια [page 337]
In P Oxy III. 471 .92 (ii/A.D.) τί οὖν ὁ κατηφὴς σὺ καὶ ὑπεραύ [σ ]τηρος οὐκ ἐκώλυες ; the context suggests that κατηφής = with eyes cast down for shame, and the same reference to the outward expression of the countenance underlies the only occurrence of the subst. in the NT, Jas_4:9 , where it should be rendered gloominess rather than heaviness (AV, RV). See also the citations in Field Notes , p. 238, e.g. Charit. Aphrod. vi. 8 : πρὸς δὲ τὴν φήμην κατήφεια πᾶσαν ἔσχε Βαβυλῶνα (these tidings cast a gloom over the whole city).
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
κατήφεια [Etym: κατηφής] "dejection, sorrow, shame", Il. , Thuc.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
κατήφεια, -ας, ἡ
(κατηφής, downcast, Wis.17:4 *),
dejection: Jas.4:9.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Gloom (2726) katepheia
Gloom (2726) (katepheia from kata = down + phaino = shine) means downcast in look or the condition of one whose eyes are cast down. It pictures a dejected, sorrowful countenance that reflects a heavy heart.
Although katepheia is not used by our Lord in His description of the tax collector in Luke 18, his description of this man gives us an good sense of the meaning of downcast...
But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner (hamartolos)!' (Luke 18:13)
VGNT writes that of a secular use of katepheia that...
the context suggests...“with eyes cast down for shame” and the same reference to the outward expression of the countenance underlies the only occurrence in Jas 4:9.
Martin Luther
You learn your theology most where your sorrows take you. (From John Blanchard's highly recommended collection - The Complete Gathered Gold- A Treasury of Quotations) (On Wordsearchbible)
Chrysostom put it well when he said that...
Sorrow is given us on purpose to cure us of sin.