English · KJV
G2816

κληρονομέω

klēronoméō /klay-ron-om-eh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom κληρονόμος
Meaningto be an heir to (literally or figuratively)
KJV usagebe heir, (obtain by) inherit(-ance).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of klēronoméō — 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 κληρονομέω (klēronoméō), represented by G2816, means to be an heir to or to (obtain by) inherit(-ance), in either a literal or figurative sense. It appears 22 times across 17 unique verses in the Bible, primarily referring to the spiritual inheritance promised to believers.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, G2816 is central to the concept of salvation and eternal reward. It is frequently used in the context of what one must do to inherit eternal life, a question posed to Jesus by a ruler and a lawyer (Luke 18:18; Luke 10:25). The term also defines what is to be inherited, including "the earth" by the meek Matthew 5:5, a "blessing" for those who do not return evil for evil 1 Peter 3:9, and ultimately "all things" for the one who overcomes Revelation 21:7. Conversely, scripture warns that the unrighteous, including fornicators, idolaters, and drunkards, will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature and conditions of this inheritance:

  • G5207 huiós (son): This term defines the relationship required for inheritance. The promise to the overcomer is not just to inherit, but also that "he shall be my son" Revelation 21:7, while the son of the bondwoman is explicitly excluded from being an heir Galatians 4:30.
  • G1860 epangelía (promise): This word specifies what is being inherited. Believers are called to be followers of those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises Hebrews 6:12.
  • G4561 sárx (flesh): This term establishes a critical distinction about the nature of the inheritance. It is a spiritual, not a physical, reality, as "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" 1 Corinthians 15:50.
  • G1544 ekbállō (to eject): This word represents the opposite of inheriting. In the allegory of the bondwoman and the freewoman, the son who is not an heir is to be cast out Galatians 4:30.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2816 is significant, outlining the believer's ultimate hope and destiny.

  • The Kingdom as Inheritance: The primary inheritance for believers is the "kingdom of God" Matthew 25:34. This is presented as a gift prepared for the blessed of the Father from the foundation of the world.
  • Conditional Inheritance: Access to this inheritance is linked to one's spiritual state and actions. Those who practice works of the flesh like "drunkenness" G3178 and "revellings" G2970 are explicitly excluded Galatians 5:21. In contrast, the "meek" G4239 are promised they will inherit the earth Matthew 5:5.
  • A Spiritual Reality: The inheritance is incorruptible. The declaration that "flesh G4561 and blood G129 cannot inherit the kingdom" emphasizes that this is not an earthly, perishable reward but a spiritual one, where corruption does not inherit "incorruption" G861 1 Corinthians 15:50.
  • Heirs of Salvation: Believers are described as those who will be "heirs of salvation G4991" Hebrews 1:14, highlighting that the inheritance is the full realization of God's saving work.

Summary

In summary, G2816 elevates the concept of inheritance from a legal or familial transfer of property to the ultimate spiritual promise for the faithful. It defines the believer's destiny: to receive eternal life, the kingdom of God, and a divine blessing. This inheritance is not an automatic right but is contingent on a transformed life of faith, meekness, and perseverance, culminating in a relationship where the believer becomes a son G5207 and inherits all that God has promised.

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 18 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Future Active Indicative 3rd Plural 4×
  • Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • Aorist Active Infinitive 2×
  • Future Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
  • Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 1st Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Plural 1×
  • Perfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Infinitive 1×
  • Present Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
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.
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.

Related Words

Related

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.

G5207 υἱός apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinshi G1860 ἐπαγγελία from ἐπαγγέλλω; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):--message, pr G4561 σάρξ probably from the base of σαρόω; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (b G1544 ἐκβάλλω from ἐκ and βάλλω; to eject (literally or figuratively):--bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, plu G3178 μέθη apparently a primary word; an intoxicant, i.e. (by implication) intoxication:--drunkenness. G2970 κῶμος from κεῖμαι; a carousal (as if letting loose):--revelling, rioting.

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 17 verses across 8 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Hebrews (4 verses); never once in the other 19.

3
Matthew
1
Mark
2
Luke
3
1 Corinthians
2
Galatians
4
Hebrews
1
1 Peter
1
Revelation

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.