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κεῖμαι

keîmai

G2749 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To be positioned in a resting or prostrate state, either literally (as of physical objects or persons lying down) or figuratively (to be set, assigned, established, destined, or laid up for a purpose). Core meaning involves being in a fixed place, whether as a result of natural placement or intentional designation. Contexts may include lying down, being placed or kept in storage, being appointed to a role or fate, or being reserved for a future outcome.

Semantic Range

to lie (in a literal or physical sense), to be set (in position or office), to be appointed, to be laid up (in store), to be established, to be reserved, to be fixed (by fate or decision)

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root κεῖ-, an old perfect form related to the verb κίω, meaning 'to lie' (as in a prostrate position), with -μαι marking the middle/passive form. Cognate with the verb τίθημι (to set, to place), but differs in emphasizing the resultative or static state rather than the active placing.

Historical & Contextual Notes

κεῖμαι in classical Greek primarily describes the physical state of being laid out, positioned, or lying down, and is attested as early as Homer, with literal uses (objects lying on the ground, a person lying in death, etc.). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term expands to figurative senses including being appointed or destined (e.g., 'set for a sign', Luke 2:34), being stored or reserved (as in treasures 'laid up'), or forming the foundation for something (e.g., faith 'laid' as a basis). While English translations often render it as 'to lie', 'to be appointed', or 'to be set', they may miss the nuance of passive or resultative state, which distinguishes κεῖμαι from more active verbs like τίθημι. In both the Septuagint and New Testament, κεῖμαι can indicate both literal, spatial lying and conceptual being set or fixed. It is never used for 'to sit' (as is καθεζομαι) nor does it directly refer to active laying or appointing, but always describes the resultant condition established by an external or previous agency.

Translation Consistency

primary "lie" 20 occurrences

Most natural and frequent English rendering of κεῖμαι’s core meaning of being in a fixed or resting position. "Lie" covers the literal sense (to lie down, to lie prostrate) and the common figurative senses (to lie/lie in store, to lie set/stand assigned) while remaining concise and natural. It also matches the dominant P2 renderings and will produce idiomatic results across forms; context will disambiguate the unrelated sense of "lie" (to speak falsely).

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"set" (1x) "set in place" (1x) "positioned" (1x) "destined" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice of a primary verb; to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively):--be (appointed, laid up, made, set), lay, lie. Compare τίθημι.

Root Family

κεῖμαι (keimai) — to lie (be positioned), to be set, to be placed

Root κεῖ- to lie (be positioned), to be set (assigned, appointed), to be placed

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2749-10 κεῖται keitai V PRS MID IND 3P SG is laid lies set lies set 7
G2749-07 κείμενον keimenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC N SG lying being set in place lying 4
G2749-01 ἔκειτο ekeito V IMPF MID IND 3P SG was set was lying in place was lying 4
G2749-03 κείμενα keimena V PRS MID PTCP ACC N PL lying being set in place lying 3
G2749-06 κειμένην keimenen V PRS MID PTCP ACC F SG laid being set in place being set in place 1
G2749-05 κειμένη keimene V PRS MID PTCP NOM F SG that is set being set in place being set 1
G2749-09 κείμεθα keimetha V PRS MID IND 1P PL we are destined we lie positioned we are destined 1
G2749-02 κεῖμαι keimai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I am appointed I lie positioned I am positioned 1
G2749-08 κείμενος keimenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG lying lying set lying 1
G2749-04 κείμεναι keimenai V PRS MID PTCP NOM F PL set lying in place lying in place 1

Occurrences in Scripture

24 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2749-10 Matthew 3:10 κεῖται keitai V PRS MID IND 3P SG is laid lies set lies set
G2749-05 Matthew 5:14 κειμένη keimene V PRS MID PTCP NOM F SG that is set being set in place being set
G2749-01 Matthew 28:6 ἔκειτο ekeito V IMPF MID IND 3P SG he-was-lying was lying in place was lying
G2749-07 Luke 2:12 κείμενον keimenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC N SG lying being set in place lying
G2749-07 Luke 2:16 κείμενον keimenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC N SG lying being set in place lying
G2749-10 Luke 2:34 κεῖται keitai V PRS MID IND 3P SG is set lies set lies set
G2749-10 Luke 3:9 κεῖται keitai V PRS MID IND 3P SG is laid lies set lies set
G2749-03 Luke 12:19 κείμενα keimena V PRS MID PTCP ACC N PL laid up being set in place lying
G2749-08 Luke 23:53 κείμενος keimenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG lying lying set lying
G2749-04 John 2:6 κείμεναι keimenai V PRS MID PTCP NOM F PL set lying in place lying in place
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