Lexical Definition

‎καταβολή‎ katabolḗ (kat-ab-ol-ay') beginning ^G:N-F
from ‎καταβάλλω‎

conceive, foundation.

• a deposition, i.e. founding
• figuratively, conception

Abbott-Smith

** κατα-βολή, -ῆς, ἡ (< καταβάλλω), [in LXX: II Mac 2:29*;]
1. a laying down: εἰς κ. σπέρματος, He 11:11 (EV, to conceive seed).
2. a foundation (of a house, II Mac 2:29): metaph., ἀπὸ κ. κόσμου, Mt 13:35(LXX) (om. κόσμου, WH, R, mg.), Mt 25:34, Lk 11:50, He 4:3 9:26, Re 13:8 17:8; πρὸ κ. κόσμου, Jo 17:24, Eph 1:4, I Pe 1:20.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

καταβολή-ή, ἡ,

throwing down: hence, sowing, [Refs]; especially of begetting, κ. σπέρματος, σπερμάτων, [NT+5th c.BC+]; ἡ Ῥωμύλου σπορὰ καὶ κ. [Refs 1st c.AD+]

__b congenital defect, ἀπὸ ξυγγενικῆς αἰτίας καὶ κ. [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__c Astrology texts, nativity, ἡ ἐξ ἀρχῆς κ. [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__2 paying down, especially by instalments, καταβάλλειν τὰς κ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]; τὸ ἀργύριον ἔφερε καταβολήὴν τῇ πόλει paid money as a deposit (by way of caution),[Refs 2nd c.BC+], etc.; ἔχειν τῆς γῆς.. καταβολήήν liability for rent, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: plural, instalments, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]
__II laying of a foundation: hence, building, structure, [LXX+3rd c.BC+]
__II.1 foundation, beginning, ἱερῶν ἀγώνων [NT+5th c.BC+] in Alc.Praef.p.8C.; ἐκ καταβολήῆς from the foundations: hence, anew, σκάφη ἐκ κ. ἐναυπηγοῦντο, of fresh construction, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; ἐκ κ. πλάττων, of pure invention, [Refs]: hence, of set purpose, deliberately, [Refs]
__II.2 ={θυσία},{τελετή}, [Refs 5th c.AD+]
__III periodical attack of illness, fit, τῆς ἀσθενείας [Refs 5th c.BC+] trance, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; cf. Latin catabolicus.
__IV detraction, abuse, [Refs 1st c.BC+]
__V perhaps outer wrapper [Refs] of a bandage, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Heb.11.11 ☩ Matt.13.35 ☩ Eph.1.4}