ἀπόκειμαι (G606) — Greek Lexicon

ἀπόκειμαι

apókeimai

G606 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To be laid away, to be reserved or set aside for future use or purpose; in figurative contexts, to be destined, appointed, or kept in store for someone or something. Primarily indicates something physically put aside, but can extend to abstract senses of being designated or awaiting fulfillment.

Semantic Range

to be put aside, to be set apart, to be in reserve, to be kept for future use, to await someone or something, (figuratively) to be destined or appointed, to be laid up (as treasure, inheritance, or judgment)

Root / Etymology

From ἀπό (from, away from) and κεῖμαι (to lie, to be laid), literally 'to lie away, to be put aside.' This is a compound verb common in Koine Greek, formed via prepositional prefixation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀπόκειμαι was generally used of objects that were physically stored away or removed from regular use—such as money kept in reserve, or items laid aside for special occasions. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the word retains its concrete sense but takes on a more figurative meaning: something kept in store for someone (often with the nuance of reward, inheritance, or retribution), or something awaiting a future moment. In Pauline letters (e.g., Colossians 1:5, 2 Timothy 4:8), ἀπόκειμαι commonly refers to hope, reward, or a prize secured and kept for the eschaton—a connotation which later English translations often render as 'laid up,' 'reserved,' or 'stored.' The concrete sense appears in non-biblical papyri and inscriptions for valuables, documents, or treasures committed to safekeeping. The usage does not imply the method or permanence of reservation, only the state of being set aside and unavailable until a designated time. Related but distinct verbs include κατακεῖμαι (to recline, often at a meal) and κεῖμαι (to lie; to be set or appointed by decree), but ἀπόκειμαι specifically highlights removal from immediate use for a later, intended purpose.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and κεῖμαι; to be reserved; figuratively, to await:--be appointed, (be) laid up.

Root Family

ἀπόκειμαι (apokeimai) — to lie, to be set, to be reserved

Root κειμ- to lie, to be set, to be reserved

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G606-01`	ἀποκειμένην	apokeimenen	`V PRS MID PTCP ACC F SG`	is laid up	being laid away	laid away	2
`G606-02`	ἀπόκειταί	apokeitai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	appointed	lies reserved	is reserved	2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G606-01`	Luke 19:20	ἀποκειμένην	apokeimenen	`V PRS MID PTCP ACC F SG`	laid away	being laid away	laid away
`G606-01`	Colossians 1:5	ἀποκειμένην	apokeimenen	`V PRS MID PTCP ACC F SG`	is laid up	being laid away	laid away
`G606-02`	2 Timothy 4:8	ἀπόκειταί	apokeitai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	is laid up	lies reserved	is reserved
`G606-02`	Hebrews 9:27	ἀπόκειται	apokeitai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	appointed	lies reserved	is reserved

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