παράκειμαι
parákeimai
G3873 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lie near or be situated beside; in figurative contexts, to be at hand, readily available, or present for use. The verb indicates both literal spatial nearness (being physically next to something or someone) and, more abstractly, the state of being available, accessible, or ready for action.
Semantic Range
to lie near (physically), to be situated beside, to be at hand (figuratively), to be present or available, to be imminent or ready for use
Root / Etymology
From παρά (para, beside) and κεῖμαι (keimai, to lie, be laid), forming a compound meaning 'to lie beside' or 'to be placed near.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
παράκειμαι appears infrequently in Koine Greek, found in only two New Testament passages (Luke 19:20; 2 Timothy 4:6), always in the present tense participle or passive form, and sometimes with figurative extension. In classical Greek usage, the term retains the physical sense of lying beside or being adjacent (e.g., objects, persons). In Hellenistic and NT contexts, it can describe something immediately accessible or available (such as funds, resources, opportunities, or circumstances). In 2 Timothy 4:6, the sense is metaphorical, referring to a situation (departure/death) as being imminent or 'present.' Standard English translations such as 'be present' or 'at hand' do not always fully capture the nuance of spatial nearness combined with readiness or imminent reality. The word is distinct from ἐγγίζω ('to come near, approach') in emphasizing already being positioned nearby rather than the process of approach.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from παρά and κεῖμαι; to lie near, i.e. be at hand (figuratively, be prompt or easy):--be present.
Root Family
παράκειμαι (parakeimai) — to lie, to be placed, to be situated beside, to be at hand
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3873-01 |
παράκειταί | parakeitai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
is present | lies near | is present | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3873-01 |
Romans 7:18 | παράκειταί | parakeitai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
is present | lies near | is present |
G3873-01 |
Romans 7:21 | παράκειται | parakeitai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
is present | lies near | lies near |