Word Study for G2625 (κατακλίνω)

kataklínō /kat-ak-lee'-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom κατά and κλίνω

Meaningto recline down, i.e. (specially) to take a place at table

KJV usage(make) sit down (at meat).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kataklínō — 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 kataklínō, represented by G2625, describes the act of reclining or sitting down, particularly for a meal. Its base definition is to recline down, or more specially, to take a place at table. It appears 5 times across 3 unique verses, highlighting its use in specific, significant contexts related to meals and gatherings.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2625 is used to set the scene for pivotal moments. Jesus commands His disciples to make the multitude of five thousand men sit down in companies before the miraculous feeding Luke 9:14. The term is also used in a parable instructing guests at a wedding not to sit down in the highest room, teaching a lesson on humility Luke 14:8. Finally, it describes Jesus as he sat at meat with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, an act of fellowship that immediately preceded their recognition of Him after the resurrection Luke 24:30.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context in which one is made to sit down:

G2036 épō (to speak or say): This verb is used for the command Jesus gave his disciples to make the crowds sit down, showing the authority that initiates the action Luke 9:14.
G2564 kaléō (to "call" ... bid): This term is used for being "bidden" to a wedding, establishing the social context of being an invited guest who must then choose where to sit down Luke 14:8.
G4411 prōtoklisía (chief (highest, uppermost) room): This word defines the place of honor at a meal. It is the specific location one is cautioned against taking when choosing where to sit down, highlighting the theme of humility Luke 14:8.

Theological Significance

The use of G2625 carries significant weight, framing key theological concepts:

Order and Divine Provision: The command for the multitude to sit down in an orderly fashion is a prerequisite for the miracle of the loaves and fishes. This demonstrates how human cooperation and order are part of the setting for God's miraculous provision Luke 9:14.
Humility: The act of choosing where to sit down becomes a physical illustration of a spiritual posture. The parable in Luke explicitly links refusing the highest room with the virtue of humility, which will be rewarded Luke 14:8.
Fellowship and Revelation: It is in the intimate context of having sat at meat that the disciples' eyes are opened to the identity of the resurrected Christ. The simple act of sharing a meal becomes the moment of profound spiritual understanding Luke 24:30.

Summary

In summary, G2625 is not merely about taking a seat. It is a word that organizes crowds for miracles, illustrates parables about spiritual humility, and establishes the setting for post-resurrection fellowship and revelation. The physical act of sitting down at a table is consistently tied to moments of divine instruction, provision, and recognition in the biblical text.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Infinitive 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 2nd Singular 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".

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

3 verses, all in Luke — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.