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ἀνακεῖμαι

anakeîmai

G345 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To recline, especially at a meal; to lie down. In Greco-Roman dining contexts, specifically to assume a reclining posture on a dining couch during communal meals. By extension, refers more broadly to lying down, being in a state of rest or repose.

Semantic Range

to recline at a meal, to lie down, to be in a reclining posture at a banquet or table; (generally) to be in a resting or recumbent position

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἀνά ('up, on, again') and the verb κεῖμαι ('to lie, to be situated'). The compound emphasizes the act of lying up or lying down in a particular place or posture.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀνακεῖμαι chiefly described the act of reclining, commonly in banquet settings—contrasting with sitting (κάθημαι). In Second Temple and New Testament periods, reclining (ἀνακεῖμαι) was adopted in dining customs among both Greeks and non-Greek elites. In the Gospels, ἀνακεῖμαι frequently describes participants at banquets or festive meals (e.g., Mark 2:15, Matthew 9:10), often signifying social fellowship and inclusion. The posture distinguished formal meals from ordinary eating and signaled a position of honor or equality at table. While older English translations sometimes use 'sit' (as in 'sit at table'), the actual Greek describes a reclining position, which may be unfamiliar to modern readers. The verb does not inherently mean 'guest,' but rather describes the posture of guests and hosts alike. Septuagint usage is more limited due to differing cultural practices regarding dining postures.

Translation Consistency

primary "recline" 13 occurrences

The primary SILEX sense is assuming a reclining posture at a meal; English 'recline' naturally and specifically conveys reclining on a couch or lying back. It also covers the broader sense of lying down/resting, so it fits both the typical Greco‑Roman dining use and general recumbent meanings while matching the attested translations (mostly “reclining”).

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀνά and κεῖμαι; to recline (as a corpse or at a meal):--guest, lean, lie, sit (down, at meat), at the table.

Root Family

ἀνακεῖμαι (anakeimai) — to lie, to recline, to be situated, to be placed

Root κειμ- to lie, to be situated, to be placed

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G345-02 ἀνακειμένων anakeimenon V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL reclining of those reclining of those reclining 4
G345-03 ἀνακείμενος anakeimenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG reclining reclining reclining 3
G345-01 ἀνακειμένοις anakeimenois V PRS MID PTCP DAT M PL as they were reclining to the reclining ones to the reclining ones 2
G345-04 ἀνακειμένου anakeimenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG as he reclined of the one reclining of the one reclining 2
G345-05 ἀνακειμένους anakeimenous V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL reclining those reclining those reclining 1
G345-06 ἀνέκειτο anekeito V IMPF MID IND 3P SG reclined was reclining was reclining 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G345-04 Matthew 9:10 ἀνακειμένου anakeimenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG reclining of the one reclining was reclining
G345-02 Matthew 22:10 ἀνακειμένων anakeimenon V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL of those reclining of those reclining of those reclining
G345-05 Matthew 22:11 ἀνακειμένους anakeimenous V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL reclining those reclining those reclining
G345-04 Matthew 26:7 ἀνακειμένου anakeimenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG as he reclined of the one reclining of the one reclining
G345-06 Matthew 26:20 ἀνέκειτο anekeito V IMPF MID IND 3P SG reclined was reclining was reclining
G345-02 Mark 14:18 ἀνακειμένων anakeimenon V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL reclining of those reclining of those reclining
G345-01 Mark 16:14 ἀνακειμένοις anakeimenois V PRS MID PTCP DAT M PL as they were reclining to the reclining ones to the reclining ones
G345-03 Luke 22:27 ἀνακείμενος anakeimenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG reclining reclining reclining
G345-03 Luke 22:27 ἀνακείμενος anakeimenos-2 V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG reclining reclining reclining
G345-01 John 6:11 ἀνακειμένοις anakeimenois V PRS MID PTCP DAT M PL reclining to the reclining ones to the reclining ones
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