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κλέπτω

kléptō

G2813 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To steal, to take something secretly and unlawfully; the act of taking another's property without their knowledge or permission. In various contexts, can range from outright theft to subtle, secretive appropriation. The core meaning centers on clandestine taking, typically for one's own use, and often with an element of deceit or stealth involved.

Semantic Range

to steal, to secretly take or appropriate, to pilfer or filch, to misappropriate, to purloin

Root / Etymology

From the root κλεπ-; the verb κλέπτω is native to Greek and is the standard word for 'steal' or 'commit theft' in both Classical and Koine Greek. It has cognates in other Indo-European languages (cf. Latin clepo, Old English hlīepan 'to leap'), signifying an ancient root related to stealth and secrecy.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κλέπτω referred broadly to stealing or carrying away furtively, with an emphasis on the secrecy of the act rather than just the act of taking. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including in the Septuagint and New Testament, κλέπτω retained its sense of illicit, secret taking, and could refer to the breaking of social or legal boundaries (such as in the Ten Commandments: οὐ κλέψεις, 'You shall not steal'). The verb is frequently used in legal, moral, and narrative contexts, always centered on the act of unauthorized appropriation. Related terms such as λῃστεύω ('to rob' or 'commit violent robbery') contrast with κλέπτω, highlighting that κλέπτω generally entails non-violent, surreptitious theft as opposed to open robbery. English translations usually render the term as 'steal', but this can obscure the word's emphasis on stealth and secretiveness, not merely the illegality or immorality of taking. κλέπτω is a common term in the Greek ethical and legal vocabulary and appears in a wide range of sources from Homer through the Hellenistic period.

Translation Consistency

primary "steal" 12 occurrences

'Steal' is the natural, commonly used English verb that best captures the core meaning of κλέπτω — clandestine, unlawful taking often with deceit or stealth. It is the typical translation in most English versions, more precise than the overly broad 'take' and more accessible than rarer synonyms like 'pilfer' or 'purloin'. Using 'steal' ensures consistent, natural-sounding renderings for all forms of this lemma.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"stole" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb; to filch:--steal.

Root Family

κλέπτω (kleptō) — to steal, to take secretly, to appropriate unlawfully

Root κλεπ- to steal, to take secretly, to appropriate unlawfully

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2813-10 κλέπτουσιν kleptousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL steal they are stealing they are stealing 2
G2813-03 κλέψεις klepseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG steal you will steal you will steal 2
G2813-04 κλέψῃς klepses V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG steal you might steal steal 2
G2813-07 κλέπτεις klepteis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG do you steal you are stealing you steal 1
G2813-09 κλέπτων klepton V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG who steals one stealing one stealing 1
G2813-02 κλέψῃ klepse V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG he may steal he may steal he may steal 1
G2813-08 κλεπτέτω klepteto V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG let him steal let him steal let him steal 1
G2813-06 κλέπτειν kleptein V PRS ACT INF to steal to be stealing to steal 1
G2813-05 κλέψωσιν klepsosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL steal they might steal they might steal 1
G2813-01 ἔκλεψαν eklepsan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL stole they stole they stole 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2813-10 Matthew 6:19 κλέπτουσιν kleptousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL steal they are stealing they are stealing
G2813-10 Matthew 6:20 κλέπτουσιν kleptousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL steal they are stealing they are stealing
G2813-03 Matthew 19:18 κλέψεις klepseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG you shall steal you will steal you will steal
G2813-05 Matthew 27:64 κλέψωσιν klepsosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL steal they might steal they might steal
G2813-01 Matthew 28:13 ἔκλεψαν eklepsan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL stole they stole they stole
G2813-04 Mark 10:19 κλέψῃς klepses V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG steal you might steal steal
G2813-04 Luke 18:20 κλέψῃς klepses V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG steal you might steal steal
G2813-02 John 10:10 κλέψῃ klepse V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG he may steal he may steal he may steal
G2813-06 Romans 2:21 κλέπτειν kleptein V PRS ACT INF to steal to be stealing to steal
G2813-07 Romans 2:21 κλέπτεις klepteis V PRS ACT IND 2P SG do you steal you are stealing you steal
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