Word Study for G2641 (καταλείπω)

kataleípō /kat-al-i'-po/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom κατά and λείπω

Meaningto leave down, i.e. behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining

KJV usageforsake, leave, reserve.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kataleípō — 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 kataleípō, represented by G2641, is a compound term meaning to leave down or behind. It appears 29 times across 25 unique verses. Its core meaning is to leave something behind, with implications of abandoning, forsaking, or having something remaining or reserved.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2641 is used in several key ways. It defines the foundational shift in relational priority required for marriage, where a man shall leave his father and mother Matthew 19:5. It is used to describe a deliberate act of abandonment, whether for good or ill. For example, Moses, by faith, forsook Egypt Hebrews 11:27, while others have forsaken the right way and gone astray 2 Peter 2:15. The word also describes being left behind, as when the ninety-nine sheep are left in the wilderness Luke 15:4 or when Jesus was left alone after his accusers departed John 8:9. Finally, it can signify that something remains, such as "a promise being left us of entering into his rest" Hebrews 4:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G2641:

G863 aphíēmi (to ... forsake, leave): As a close synonym, this word also means to leave or forsake. It is used in contexts like leaving one's first love Revelation 2:4 and forsaking family for the sake of the kingdom Matthew 19:29.
G1831 exérchomai (to issue ... depart): This word describes the action of going out, which often provides the context for someone or something being left behind with G2641. For instance, the accusers "went out" one by one, and as a result, Jesus was left alone John 8:9.
G1930 epidiorthóō (set in order): This term highlights a specific purpose for being left behind. Paul left G2641 Titus in Crete so that he could set in order the things that were wanting in the church Titus 1:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2641 is significant, touching on themes of commitment, separation, and divine preservation.

Relational Priority and Calling: The term establishes new priorities, such as when a man must leave his parents to be joined to his wife Ephesians 5:31. This principle extends to discipleship, where followers are called to leave all to follow Christ Luke 5:28.
Abandonment and Faith: kataleípō often marks a critical spiritual choice. It can describe a negative departure, as when people have forsaken the right way 2 Peter 2:15, or a righteous act of faith, when Moses forsook Egypt, choosing to endure by faith Hebrews 11:27.
Divine Reservation and Hope: The word is used to express God's sovereign act of preserving a remnant for Himself, as when He states, "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men" Romans 11:4. It also underpins the Christian hope, confirming that Christ's soul was not left in hell Acts 2:31 and that a promise of rest is still left for the people of God Hebrews 4:1.

Summary

In summary, G2641 moves beyond simple physical departure to define critical spiritual choices and their consequences. It illustrates the dynamics of leaving one commitment for another, forsaking the world for faith, and being positioned for a divine purpose. From a man leaving his father to God reserving a people for His name, kataleípō powerfully communicates the importance of what is left behind, abandoned, or preserved.

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 26 occurrences, inflected in 14 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 6×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 4×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Infinitive 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

+ 2 rarer forms

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
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.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
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

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 25 verses across 11 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (6 verses); never once in the other 16.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

Ephesians

1 Thessalonians

Titus

Hebrews

2 Peter

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.