κλαίω
To weep
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does κλαίω (klaíō) mean in the Bible?
κλαίω (klaíō) is a Greek word meaning "to weep". κλαίω [in LXX chiefly for בָּכָה ;] of any loud expression of pain or sorrow, esp. Demonstrates Christ’s compassionate lament. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah.
Meaning
Loud, audible weeping expressing deep pain or sorrow, often for the dead; distinct from silent tears.
of any loud expression of pain or sorrow, esp. for the dead, to weep, lament;
Why This Word Matters
Demonstrates Christ’s compassionate lament.
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 16×
Indicative states a fact or reality 15×
Imperative command or strong request 7×
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 1×
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 35 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Additional Occurrences
New Testament Witnesses
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain