Word Study for G2813 (κλέπτω)

kléptō /klep'-to/ Ask about this word

Meaninga primary verb; to filch

KJV usagesteal.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kléptō — 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 kléptō, represented by G2813, is a primary verb meaning to steal or to filch. It appears 20 times across 11 unique verses in the Bible. The word directly addresses the act of taking something that does not belong to oneself, often appearing in foundational lists of moral prohibitions.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the Scriptures, G2813 is frequently used in the context of the commandments, as seen in the repeated prohibition, "Thou shalt not steal" (Matthew 19:18, Mark 10:19, Romans 13:9). The word also contrasts earthly vulnerability with heavenly security, noting that on earth thieves can steal treasures, a danger not present in heaven Matthew 6:19-20. In a figurative sense, the action is part of a destructive triad, where the thief comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy John 10:10. The act of stealing is also part of a narrative of deception, where guards were told to claim that Jesus' disciples came and stole him away by night Matthew 27:64.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act and concept of stealing:

G2812 kléptēs (a stealer): The noun form of the verb, referring to the one who steals. It is used to describe the thief whose purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy John 10:10.
G1358 diorýssō (to penetrate burglariously): This word is often used alongside G2813 to describe the method of a thief, who must first break through a dwelling before he can steal Matthew 6:19.
G5407 phoneúō (to be a murderer): This word is often listed alongside the prohibition against stealing in lists of commandments, showing its similar weight as a serious offense Romans 13:9.
G3431 moicheúō (to commit adultery): Like killing, this is another of the commandments frequently cited with the command not to steal, framing it within a broader moral code Mark 10:19.
G1937 epithyméō (to set the heart upon, i.e. long for): This word for coveting is presented in Romans 13:9 as another prohibition alongside stealing, addressing the internal desire that can lead to the external act.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2813 is significant and multifaceted.

Prohibition in Divine Law: The word is a core component of the moral law, consistently listed among the fundamental commandments that govern social relationships and respect for others' property (Romans 13:9, Mark 10:19).
Spiritual Opposition: The act of stealing is tied to the work of the "thief," who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, placing it in direct opposition to the life-giving nature of Christ John 10:10.
A Call to Transformation: The command is not merely to stop stealing, but to replace the act with productive labor and generosity, showing a path of repentance and change for the believer Ephesians 4:28.
Focus on Heavenly Treasure: The concept is used to teach about eternal values, contrasting corruptible earthly treasures that can be stolen with incorruptible heavenly treasures that are secure Matthew 6:19-20.

Summary

In summary, G2813 defines a specific act of wrongdoing, to steal, that is consistently forbidden in scripture. Beyond a simple legal command, it is used to illustrate the destructive nature of sin, the call to a transformed life of work and giving, and the wisdom of valuing heavenly security over earthly possessions. The word encapsulates a key principle of biblical ethics regarding property, community, and spiritual priorities.

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 13 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular 2×
Future Active Indicative 2nd Singular 2×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
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").
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.
Active: The subject performs the action.
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".
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 11 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Matthew (5 verses); never once in the other 21.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Romans

Ephesians

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.