Word Study for G2837 (κοιμάω)

koimáō /koy-mah'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom κεῖμαι

Meaningto put to sleep, i.e. (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease

KJV usage(be a-, fall a-, fall on) sleep, be dead.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of koimáō — 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 koimáō, represented by G2837, is defined as to put to sleep, to slumber, or, figuratively, to decease. It appears 19 times across 18 unique verses, carrying a dual meaning that encompasses both literal sleep and a theological euphemism for the death of believers.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G2837 is used in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it describes physical rest, such as when Peter was sleeping between two soldiers Acts 12:6 or when the disciples were found sleeping from sorrow Luke 22:45. Figuratively, it serves as a gentle term for death, particularly for the righteous. Stephen, at his martyrdom, "fell asleep" Acts 7:60, and David, after serving his generation, "fell on sleep" Acts 13:36. This figurative use is most prominent in describing believers who have died, referred to as "them which are asleep" to offer comfort and hope 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller understanding of the concepts of sleep, death, and resurrection:

G1453 egeírō (to waken, rouse, raise): This word is the direct counterpart to the sleep of death. After the crucifixion, the bodies of saints which slept G2837 arose G1453 Matthew 27:52.
G1852 exypnízō (to waken): This term is used specifically for rousing someone from slumber. Jesus uses it when he says he must go to awake Lazarus out of his sleep John 11:11.
G599 apothnḗskō (to die off): This is the direct term for death, used in contrast to the hopeful euphemism of G2837. Paul states that we believe Jesus died G599 and rose again, and so God will bring with Him those who sleep G2837 in Jesus 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
G3498 nekrós (dead): This word describes the state of being dead. Christ is the firstfruits of those that slept G2837, having been risen from the dead G3498 1 Corinthians 15:20.
G1312 diaphthorá (decay, corruption): This term highlights a key distinction. David "fell on sleep" G2837 and saw corruption G1312, but Christ, whom God raised again, saw no corruption G1312 Acts 13:36-37.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2837 is significant, reframing the Christian understanding of death.

Death as Temporary Rest: By describing death as sleep, the word removes its finality and terror for believers. Paul reassures the Thessalonians so they do not sorrow like those with no hope concerning those who are asleep 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Those who have "fallen asleep in Christ" have not perished 1 Corinthians 15:18.
The Hope of Resurrection: The metaphor of sleep inherently implies an awakening. Christ is presented as the "firstfruits of them that slept" 1 Corinthians 15:20, guaranteeing that believers will also be raised. Those who are asleep will not precede those who are alive at the Lord's coming, but will rise first 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16.
A Consequence of Sin: In a different context, the term is used to describe a spiritual state. Paul warns the Corinthians that because of their unworthy participation in the Lord's supper, many among them are weak, sickly, and many sleep G2837, indicating a state of spiritual consequence that can lead to physical death 1 Corinthians 11:30.

Summary

In summary, G2837 is a rich theological term that operates on multiple levels. While it can denote simple physical slumber, its primary significance lies in its use as a metaphor for the death of believers. This reframes death not as a final end, but as a temporary state of rest, full of the hope of a future resurrection and awakening in Christ. It distinguishes the believer's passing from the hopelessness of a final, permanent state.

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 12 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 2×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Aorist Passive Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 2×
Perfect Middle Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Perfect Middle Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 2×
Present Middle Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 2×
Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Future Passive Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Present Middle Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Middle Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
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.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
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 18 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians (6 verses); never once in the other 20.

Matthew

Luke

John

Acts

1 Corinthians

1 Thessalonians

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.