κλίνω
klínō
G2827 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause to lean, bend, or incline; to make something slope from its vertical or upright position. In extended contexts, it is used of reclining (as at a meal), bowing (in respect or submission), or the declining (of the day, i.e., as the sun sets). The verb can indicate both a literal physical movement (e.g., to bow the head or recline at table) and a figurative state (e.g., of time wearing away, day drawing to its close).
Semantic Range
to bow (the head or the body), to recline (at table), to decline (as of day or time), to lay down, to cause to flee or turn away, to slope, to turn aside
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root κλίνω (klinō), related to the idea of bending or inclining. Cognate with other Greek words involving bending or turning, such as κλῖμαξ (ladder, related to 'slope') and κλίνη (couch, bed, referring to something on which one reclines).
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in classical Greek from Homer onward, where its central meaning is to cause to bend or lean, either in a transitive or intransitive sense. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, κλίνω commonly describes reclining at banquets (a practice typical of Greco-Roman dining), bowing the head in deference (as in narratives of respect or submission), and metaphorically of time or day declining (as in 'the day was far spent'). The verb takes on idiomatic senses such as 'to turn to flight' (to cause to flee) or 'to lay down' (as in laying the head or body). In the Septuagint and New Testament, these extended and figurative senses are frequent. English translations often reflect these nuances as 'bow', 'recline', or 'decline', but context determines which English rendering best matches the underlying Greek sense. Related terms include κλίνη (bed, place for reclining) and ἀνακλίνω (to recline at table).
Translation Consistency
‘Lean’ is a natural, everyday verb that covers the primary senses of κλίνω — to cause to bend or incline, to lean or bow (head/body), and to recline (e.g., at table). It also works figuratively for things that slope or decline (day/time leaning toward evening). Alternatives like ‘incline’ are more formal and ‘recline’ is too narrow, so ‘lean’ best fits the typical usage while remaining natural English.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary verb; to slant or slope, i.e. incline or recline (literally or figuratively):--bow (down), be far spent, lay, turn to flight, wear away.
Root Family
κλίνω (klinō) — to incline, to bend, to lean
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2827-04 |
κλίνῃ | kline | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
to lay | may incline | may lean | 2 |
G2827-05 |
κλίνειν | klinein | V PRS ACT INF |
to decline | to incline | to decline | 1 |
G2827-01 |
ἔκλιναν | eklinan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
turned to flight | they inclined | they drove back | 1 |
G2827-06 |
κλινουσῶν | klinouson | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F PL |
bowing | of the inclining ones | of the inclining ones | 1 |
G2827-02 |
κέκλικεν | kekliken | V PRF ACT IND 3P SG |
has declined | has inclined | has declined | 1 |
G2827-03 |
κλίνας | klinas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
bowed | having inclined | having inclined | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2827-04 |
Matthew 8:20 | κλίνῃ | kline | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
to lay | may incline | may lean |
G2827-05 |
Luke 9:12 | κλίνειν | klinein | V PRS ACT INF |
to decline | to incline | to decline |
G2827-04 |
Luke 9:58 | κλίνῃ | kline | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
to lay | may incline | may lean |
G2827-06 |
Luke 24:5 | κλινουσῶν | klinouson | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F PL |
bowing | of the inclining ones | of the inclining ones |
G2827-02 |
Luke 24:29 | κέκλικεν | kekliken | V PRF ACT IND 3P SG |
has declined | has inclined | has declined |
G2827-03 |
John 19:30 | κλίνας | klinas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
bowed | having inclined | having inclined |
G2827-01 |
Hebrews 11:34 | ἔκλιναν | eklinan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
turned to flight | they inclined | they drove back |