English · KJV
G1587

ἐκλείπω

ekleípō /ek-li'-po/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἐκ and λείπω
Meaningto omit, i.e. (by implication) cease (die)
KJV usagefail.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ekleípō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ekleípō, represented by G1587, means to omit, cease, or fail. It appears 4 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. Its definition, derived from ἐκ and λείπω, implies a cessation or coming to an end, up to and including death.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The usage of G1587 highlights different forms of cessation. In Luke 22:32, Jesus prays for Peter that his faith might not fail. In Luke 16:9, it is used in the context of physical death, instructing believers to make friends who will receive them into everlasting habitations "when ye fail." In Hebrews 1:12, the word contrasts the created heavens, which will be folded up and changed, with God, whose "years shall not fail."

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of cessation and endurance:

  • G4102 pístis (faith): This word denotes the moral conviction and reliance upon Christ that Jesus prays will not fail in Peter Luke 22:32.
  • G1209 déchomai (receive): This term describes the action that follows the cessation of life, where believers may be received into everlasting habitations Luke 16:9.
  • G236 allássō (change): This action is contrasted with the endurance of God; while the heavens will be changed, God's years will not fail Hebrews 1:12.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1587 is seen in its application to different realms of existence.

  • The Vulnerability of Faith: The word is used to describe the potential for a believer's faith to fail Luke 22:32. This highlights human frailty and the necessity of Christ's intercession and the believer's need to strengthen their brethren after being converted.
  • The Finitude of Life: By using fail to signify death Luke 16:9, the term underscores the temporary nature of earthly life and possessions. It calls for a perspective focused on securing a place in "everlasting habitations."
  • The Immutability of God: In Hebrews, the word establishes a crucial contrast. Creation is subject to cessation and change, but of God it is said his "years shall not fail" Hebrews 1:12, affirming His eternal and unchanging nature.

Summary

In summary, G1587 is a versatile word for cessation. It is applied to the potential failure of personal faith, the certain end of physical life, and the eventual passing of the created order. Through its uses, ekleípō consistently points to a greater truth: the contrast between the transient nature of the world and humanity, and the unfailing permanence of God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • 2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 2×
  • 2nd Aorist Active Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×
  • Future Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G4102 πίστις from πείθω; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious t G1209 δέχομαι middle voice of a primary verb; to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively):--accept, receive, take. G236 ἀλλάσσω from ἄλλος; to make different:--change.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (2 verses); never once in the other 25.

2
Luke
1
Hebrews

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.