καθεύδω

katheúdō /kath-yoo'-do/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom κατά and (to sleep)
Meaningto lie down to rest, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage(be a-)sleep.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word katheúdō, represented by G2518, means to lie down to rest and, by implication, to fall asleep. It appears 23 times in 20 unique verses. The term is used both literally to describe physical rest and figuratively to denote states of spiritual unawareness, apathy, or even death.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the Gospels, G2518 is frequently used in its literal sense. Jesus is described as asleep in a ship during a great tempest, much to the alarm of his disciples (Matthew 8:24, Mark 4:38). The disciples themselves are found sleeping in Gethsemane when they should have been watching (Matthew 26:40, Mark 14:37). However, the word also carries a significant figurative meaning. When Jesus is told a young girl is dead, he states she is not dead, but sleepeth (Matthew 9:24, Mark 5:39, Luke 8:52), using sleep as a metaphor for a temporary state from which he can rouse her. This figurative use extends to spiritual carelessness, as in the parable where men slept while an enemy sowed tares Matthew 13:25.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the contrast between sleep and wakefulness:

  • G1127 grēgoreúō (to keep awake, i.e. watch): This word is often used as a direct command in contrast to sleeping, urging believers to "watch and be sober" instead of spiritually sleeping like others 1 Thessalonians 5:6.
  • G1453 egeírō (to waken): This signifies rousing from sleep or death. It appears in the call to "Awake thou that sleepest" Ephesians 5:14, directly linking the act of waking to rising from a state of spiritual death.
  • G3573 nystázō (to nod, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep): This term is used alongside katheúdō to describe a state of drowsiness and inattention, as when the ten virgins "all slumbered and slept" while waiting for the bridegroom Matthew 25:5.
  • G373 anapaúō (to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication, to refresh): This is offered as an alternative to continuing to watch, as when Jesus tells the disciples, "Sleep on now, and take your rest" (Mark 14:41, Matthew 26:45).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2518 is primarily seen in its use as a metaphor for spiritual conditions.

  • Spiritual Apathy: Believers are explicitly warned not to sleep but to watch and be sober 1 Thessalonians 5:6. This contrasts the alertness required of those who are "of the day" with the spiritual stupor of those "of the night" 1 Thessalonians 5:7.
  • Death as a Temporary State: By describing the dead as merely sleeping, scripture reframes death not as a final end, but as a rest from which believers will awaken. This is seen when Jesus raises the "sleeping" girl Luke 8:52 and in the assurance that whether we wake or sleep, we live with Christ 1 Thessalonians 5:10.
  • The Call to Spiritual Awakening: The most direct theological command uses sleep as a metaphor for a state of spiritual death. The call to "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead" is a summons to salvation, promising that "Christ shall give thee light" Ephesians 5:14.

Summary

In summary, G2518 katheúdō serves as a vital term that moves from the literal act of resting to a powerful metaphor for the state of the human soul. It illustrates both physical vulnerability, as with Jesus in the storm, and spiritual peril, as seen in the sleeping disciples and the unprepared virgins. Ultimately, the Bible uses the concept of sleep to contrast spiritual death and apathy with the divine call to awake, arise, and live in the light of Christ.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 22 occurrences, inflected in 13 grammatical forms.

  • Present Active Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 5×
  • Present Active Indicative 2nd Plural 3×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • Present Active Subjunctive 1st Plural 2×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Infinitive 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Vocative Singular Masculine 1×

+ 1 rarer form

Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Vocative
Direct address — naming who is spoken to.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 20 verses across 5 books. Most frequent in Matthew (7 verses).

7
Matthew
7
Mark
2
Luke
1
Ephesians
3
1 Thessalonians

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