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G2806

κλάω

kláō /klah'-o/ Ask about this word
a primary verb
to break (specially, of bread)
break.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kláō — 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 kláō, represented by G2806, is a primary verb that means to break. It is used specially in reference to bread. This word appears 15 times across 14 unique verses, highlighting its specific but significant role in key biblical events.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2806 is used consistently in the context of fellowship and divine provision, almost exclusively with bread. It is a central action during the feeding of the multitudes, where Jesus brake the loaves before they were miraculously multiplied Matthew 14:19. The word gains its deepest significance at the Last Supper, where Jesus brake the bread and identified it with his body, given for his disciples (Matthew 26:26, Luke 22:19). This act of breaking bread became a foundational practice for the early church, signifying communion and fellowship Acts 2:46.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words often appear alongside G2806, forming a consistent sequence of actions:

  • G2983 lambánō: This verb means to take. It is frequently the first action in the sequence, as when Jesus took bread before breaking it Matthew 26:26. It signifies the reception of something that will be acted upon.
  • G2127 eulogéō: Meaning to bless, this action of consecration or speaking well of immediately precedes the breaking. Jesus blessed the bread at the Last Supper Matthew 26:26 and before feeding the five thousand Matthew 14:19.
  • G1325 dídōmi: This word means to give. It is the final step in the sequence, where the broken bread is distributed. After breaking the bread, Christ gave it to the disciples to share Luke 22:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2806 is profound, centered on Christ's sacrifice and the life of the church.

  • Symbol of Sacrifice: The most significant use of G2806 is to symbolize the sacrifice of Christ. In instituting the Lord's Supper, Jesus states that the bread is his body "broken for you" 1 Corinthians 11:24, creating a direct parallel between the physical act and his redemptive suffering.
  • Act of Communion: The breaking of bread is established as a central act of Christian fellowship and worship. Paul asks, "The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" 1 Corinthians 10:16, identifying the shared meal as the embodiment of the church's unity in Christ.
  • Catalyst for Provision: In the accounts of feeding the multitudes, the act of breaking the loaves precedes the miracle of multiplication Matthew 14:19. This connects the word to themes of faith, dependence, and God's supernatural provision for His people.

Summary

In summary, G2806 kláō is a specific verb that carries immense theological significance. While its literal definition is simply to break, its consistent use in scripture transforms it into a symbol of Christ's sacrifice, a cornerstone of Christian communion, and an emblem of divine provision. The act of breaking bread becomes a memorial, a declaration of unity, and an expression of faith.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 15 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it. These are this word’s own inflections, not words built from it — for those, see Related Words.

  • ἔκλασεν
  • κλάσας
  • ἔκλασα
  • κλάσαι
  • κλῶμεν
  • κλῶντές
  • κλώμενον·

Related Words

Related

5 entries in Strong’s name this word as their origin. These are its derivatives — a different relationship from the inflected forms above, which are this same word bent by grammar.

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.

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 14 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (4 verses); never once in the other 22.

3
Matthew
3
Mark
2
Luke
4
Acts
2
1 Corinthians

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, by grammatical form, 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.