καλέω (G2564) — Greek Lexicon

καλέω

kaléō

G2564 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To call, to summon, to address by name. The primary lexical meaning is to call or summon someone, including calling aloud to attract attention, inviting, or designating, especially by name or status. It can also mean to designate or name someone or something, to invite (especially to a banquet or position), or to appoint to an office or role.

Semantic Range

to call aloud, to summon someone, to invite (e.g. to a feast or role), to name or bestow a name, to call or designate by title or office, to appoint, to address, to bid

Root / Etymology

From the root καλ-, with probable relation to the verb κελεύω ('to command'), though καλέω and κελεύω have distinct meanings. The precise etymology is uncertain, though Indo-European parallels suggest an original sense of 'to call aloud, to summon.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, καλέω appears frequently with the sense 'to call out, summon,' whether vocally in public or privately. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the sense of 'designate/naming' (as in bestowing a name) and of 'inviting' (especially to a feast, banquet, or salvation) is especially prominent. It is regularly used for divine acts—such as God calling individuals for particular roles or destinies, or designating people as belonging to a certain group. The use to denote inviting or calling to a position (such as apostleship or a feast) appears in a variety of Second Temple sources and is not unique to early Christian writings. English translations such as 'call,' 'invite,' 'name,' or 'summon' may only partially convey the range of usage. Use of καλέω to denote naming often reflects the classical convention of naming by spoken declaration. In contrast to the verb ὀνομάζω (onomazō), which can mean 'to name' or 'mention,' καλέω is more focused on the dynamic act of summoning or designating, not just referencing.

Translation Consistency

primary "call" 45 occurrences

“Call” is the most natural, versatile English verb that covers the primary semantic range of καλέω — to call aloud or summon, to invite, to designate or name, and to appoint/address. It matches the majority of attested English renderings (e.g. “called”), reads naturally in both literal and figurative contexts, and avoids the narrowness or formality of alternatives like “summon,” “invite,” or “name.”

Alternatives (5 occurrences):

"invited" (2x) "having been invited" (1x) "who invited" (1x) "having been summoned" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to the base of κελεύω; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).

Root Family

καλ- (kaléō) — to call, to summon, to name, to invite, to designate

Root καλ- to call, to summon, to name, to invite, to designate

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G2570	καλός	beautiful things
G2573	καλῶς	rightly
G2821	κλῆσις	to a summons
G4837	συμπαρακαλέω	to be jointly encouraged

Word Forms

52 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2564-27`	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	called	being called	being called	11
`G2564-49`	κληθήσεται	klethesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	shall be called	will be called	will be called	11
`G2564-02`	ἐκάλεσεν	ekalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he called	he called	he called	10
`G2564-04`	ἐκλήθη	eklethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	he was called	was summoned	was called	7
`G2564-06`	ἐκλήθητε	eklethete	`V AOR PASS IND 2P PL`	you were called	you were summoned	you were called	7
`G2564-28`	καλούμενος	kaloumenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	called	the one being called	the one being called	7
`G2564-16`	καλέσας	kalesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having called	having summoned	having called	6
`G2564-24`	καλουμένῃ	kaloumene	`V PRS PASS PTCP DAT F SG`	called	to the one being called	being called	6
`G2564-07`	καλεῖ	kalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	calls	he/she calls	he calls	5
`G2564-10`	καλεῖται	kaleitai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is called	is being called	is being called	5
`G2564-12`	καλέσαι	kalesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to call	to summon	to call	4
`G2564-15`	καλέσαντος	kalesantos	`V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	who called	of the one having called	of the one having called	4
`G2564-32`	καλοῦντος	kalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	calls	of the one calling	of the one calling	4
`G2564-09`	καλεῖσθαι	kaleisthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	to be called	to be called	to be called	3
`G2564-18`	καλέσεις	kaleseis	`V FUT ACT IND 2P SG`	you shall call	you will call	you will call	3
`G2564-25`	καλουμένην	kaloumenen	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC F SG`	called	being called	being called	3
`G2564-37`	κεκλημένοι	keklemenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	called	those having been called	those having been called	3
`G2564-45`	κληθῆναι	klethenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be called	to be summoned	to be called	3
`G2564-03`	ἐκάλουν	ekaloun	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they called	they were calling	they were calling	2
`G2564-05`	ἐκλήθης	eklethes	`V AOR PASS IND 2P SG`	were called	you were called	you were called	2
`G2564-29`	καλουμένου	kaloumenou	`V PRS PASS PTCP GEN N SG`	called	of one being called	of one being called	2
`G2564-34`	κέκληκεν	kekleken	`V PRF ACT IND 3P SG`	has called	has summoned	has called	2
`G2564-38`	κεκλημένοις	keklemenois	`V PRF PASS PTCP DAT M PL`	invited	to the ones who have been called	who have been called	2
`G2564-41`	κεκλημένους	keklemenous	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL`	invited	having been called	those having been called	2
`G2564-42`	κέκληταί	kekletai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	called	has been called	has been called	2
`G2564-43`	κληθεὶς	kletheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	having been called	having been called	having been called	2
`G2564-47`	κληθῇς	klethes	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P SG`	you are invited	you may be called	you are invited	2
`G2564-48`	κληθήσῃ	klethese	`V FUT PASS IND 2P SG`	shall be called	you will be called	you will be called	2
`G2564-50`	κληθήσονται	klethesontai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P PL`	shall be called	they will be called	they will be called	2
`G2564-51`	κληθῆτε	klethete	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P PL`	be called	you may be summoned	you may be called	2
`G2564-01`	ἐκάλεσα	ekalesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I called	I called	I called	1
`G2564-08`	καλεῖν	kalein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to call	to call	to call	1
`G2564-11`	καλεῖτε	kaleite	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	call	you are calling	you are calling	1
`G2564-13`	καλέσαντα	kalesanta	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	who called	having summoned	having called	1
`G2564-14`	καλέσαντες	kalesantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	calling	having summoned	having called	1
`G2564-17`	καλέσατε	kalesate	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL`	invite	Summon!	Summon	1
`G2564-19`	καλέσητε	kalesete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	call	you may call	you may call	1
`G2564-20`	καλέσω	kaleso	`V FUT ACT IND 1P SG`	I will call	I will call	I will call	1
`G2564-21`	κάλεσον	kaleson	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	call	Summon!	Summon	1
`G2564-22`	καλέσουσιν	kalesousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	they shall call	they will call	they will call	1
`G2564-23`	καλῶν	kalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	who calls	admirable	calling	1
`G2564-26`	καλουμένης	kaloumenes	`V PRS PASS PTCP GEN F SG`	called	of the one being called	called	1
`G2564-30`	καλοῦνται	kalountai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P PL`	are called	they are being called	are called	1
`G2564-31`	καλοῦντες	kalountes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	calling	calling ones	calling	1
`G2564-33`	καλοῦσα	kalousa	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG`	calling	calling	calling	1
`G2564-35`	κεκληκώς	keklekos	`V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	one who invited	having called	the one who invited	1
`G2564-36`	κεκληκότι	keklekoti	`V PRF ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	who had invited	to the one having called	the one having called	1
`G2564-39`	κεκλημένων	keklemenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL`	called	of the ones having been summoned	having been summoned	1
`G2564-40`	κεκλημένος	keklemenos	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	having been invited	having been called	having been invited	1
`G2564-44`	κληθὲν	klethen	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N SG`	called	having been called	having been called	1
`G2564-46`	κληθέντος	klethentos	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN M SG`	when he was called	of having been called	of having been called	1
`G2564-52`	κληθῶμεν	klethomen	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 1P PL`	we should be called	we may be called	we may be called	1

Occurrences in Scripture

148 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2564-25`	Luke 9:10	καλουμένην	kaloumenen	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC F SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-24`	Luke 10:39	καλουμένη	kaloumene	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	called	to the one being called	being called
`G2564-41`	Luke 14:7	κεκλημένους	keklemenous	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL`	invited	having been called	those having been called
`G2564-47`	Luke 14:8	κληθῇς	klethes	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P SG`	you are invited	you may be called	you are invited
`G2564-40`	Luke 14:8	κεκλημένος	keklemenos	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	having been invited	having been called	having been invited
`G2564-16`	Luke 14:9	καλέσας	kalesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having invited	having summoned	having called
`G2564-47`	Luke 14:10	κληθῇς	klethes	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P SG`	you are invited	you may be called	you are invited
`G2564-35`	Luke 14:10	κεκληκώς	keklekos	`V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	one who invited	having called	the one who invited
`G2564-36`	Luke 14:12	κεκληκότι	keklekoti	`V PRF ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	who had invited	to the one having called	the one having called
`G2564-07`	Luke 14:13	κάλει	kalei	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	call	he/she calls	you call
`G2564-02`	Luke 14:16	ἐκάλεσεν	ekalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	invited	he called	he called
`G2564-38`	Luke 14:17	κεκλημένοις	keklemenois	`V PRF PASS PTCP DAT M PL`	invited	to the ones who have been called	who have been called
`G2564-39`	Luke 14:24	κεκλημένων	keklemenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL`	called	of the ones having been summoned	having been summoned
`G2564-45`	Luke 15:19	κληθῆναι	klethenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be called	to be summoned	to be called
`G2564-45`	Luke 15:21	κληθῆναι	klethenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be called	to be summoned	to be called
`G2564-28`	Luke 19:2	καλούμενος	kaloumenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	called	the one being called	the one being called
`G2564-16`	Luke 19:13	καλέσας	kalesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having called	having summoned	having called
`G2564-27`	Luke 19:29	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-07`	Luke 20:44	καλεῖ	kalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	calls	he/she calls	calls
`G2564-27`	Luke 21:37	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-27`	Luke 22:3	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-30`	Luke 22:25	καλοῦνται	kalountai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P PL`	are called	they are being called	are called
`G2564-27`	Luke 23:33	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	is called	being called	being called
`G2564-48`	John 1:42	κληθήσῃ	klethese	`V FUT PASS IND 2P SG`	shall be called	you will be called	you will be called
`G2564-04`	John 2:2	ἐκλήθη	eklethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was invited	was summoned	was called
`G2564-29`	Acts 1:12	καλουμένου	kaloumenou	`V PRS PASS PTCP GEN N SG`	called	of one being called	of one being called
`G2564-45`	Acts 1:19	κληθῆναι	klethenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to-be-called	to be summoned	to be called
`G2564-27`	Acts 1:23	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-24`	Acts 3:11	καλουμένῃ	kaloumene	`V PRS PASS PTCP DAT F SG`	called	to the one being called	to the one being called
`G2564-14`	Acts 4:18	καλέσαντες	kalesantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	calling	having summoned	having called
`G2564-29`	Acts 7:58	καλουμένου	kaloumenou	`V PRS PASS PTCP GEN M SG`	called	of one being called	of one being called
`G2564-24`	Acts 8:10	καλουμένη	kaloumene	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	called	to the one being called	the one being called
`G2564-25`	Acts 9:11	καλουμένην	kaloumenen	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC F SG`	is called	being called	being called
`G2564-26`	Acts 10:1	καλουμένης	kaloumenes	`V PRS PASS PTCP GEN F SG`	called	of the one being called	called
`G2564-28`	Acts 13:1	καλούμενος	kaloumenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	called	the one being called	the one being called
`G2564-03`	Acts 14:12	ἐκάλουν	ekaloun	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they called	they were calling	they were calling
`G2564-27`	Acts 15:22	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-27`	Acts 15:37	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-46`	Acts 24:2	κληθέντος	klethentos	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN M SG`	when he was called	of having been called	of having been called
`G2564-27`	Acts 27:8	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-28`	Acts 27:14	καλούμενος	kaloumenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	called	the one being called	the one being called
`G2564-27`	Acts 27:16	καλούμενον	kaloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N SG`	called	being called	being called
`G2564-10`	Acts 28:1	καλεῖται	kaleitai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	was called	is being called	is being called
`G2564-32`	Romans 4:17	καλοῦντος	kalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	calls	of the one calling	of the one calling
`G2564-02`	Romans 8:30	ἐκάλεσεν	ekalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he called	he called	he called
`G2564-02`	Romans 8:30	ἐκάλεσεν	ekalesen-2	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he called	he called	he called
`G2564-49`	Romans 9:7	κληθήσεταί	klethesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	shall be called	will be called	will be called
`G2564-32`	Romans 9:12	καλοῦντος	kalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	calling	of the one calling	of the one calling
`G2564-02`	Romans 9:24	ἐκάλεσεν	ekalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he called	he called	he called
`G2564-20`	Romans 9:25	καλέσω	kaleso	`V FUT ACT IND 1P SG`	I will call	I will call	I will call

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