Greek · G2816 · unreviewed

κληρονομέω

To be an heir to (literally or figuratively)

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

κληρονομέω G2816
Pronunciation klēronoméō

What does κληρονομέω (klēronoméō) mean in the Bible?

κληρονομέω (klēronoméō) is a Greek word meaning "to be an heir to (literally or figuratively)". κληρονομέω, -ῶ (κληρονόμος) [in LXX chiefly for יָרַשׁ, also for נָחַל, etc. Frames eternal life as covenant inheritance. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant.

Full entry for κληρονομέω (G2816) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to be an heir to (literally or figuratively)
Extended definition

To inherit or receive as one's own possession, especially God's kingdom and eternal blessings in eschatological fulfillment.

(κληρονόμος) [in LXX chiefly for יָרַשׁ, also for נָחַל, etc. ;]

1to receive by lot.
2to inherit (in cl., usually with genitive of thing(s)): absol., Gal.4:30 (LXX); in general, to possess oneself of, receive as one's own, obtain (as Deu.4:5, al., cf. Psa.25:3, Isa.61:7): with accusative of thing(s) (as generally in late Gk., see M, Pr., 65), of the Messianic Kingdom (cf. Psa.37:11, Sir.4:13 37:26, and see Dalman, Words, 125 ff.) and its bless­ings and privileges, τ. γῆν, Mat.5:5 (cf. LXX); τ. βασιλείαν, β. θεοῦ, Mat.25:34, 1Co.6:9-10 15:50, Gal.5:21; ζωὴν αἰώνιον, Mat.19:29, Mrk.10:17, Luk.10:25 18:18; σωτηρίαν, Heb.1:14; τ. ἐπαγγελίας, Heb.6:12; ἀφθαρσίαν, 1Co.15:50; ὄνομα, Heb.1:4; τ. εὐλογίαν, Heb.12:17, 1Pe.3:9; ταῦτα, Rev.21:7 (cf. κατα-κληρονομέω).
Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Why This Word Matters
Frames eternal life as covenant inheritance.
Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses
Future Aorist Present Perfect
Voices
Active
Indicative states a fact or reality 11×
Future Active Matt 5:5 · 1 Cor 6:9 · 1 Cor 6:10 · Gal 5:21 · Matt 19:29 · Gal 4:30 · Rev 21:7 · Luke 10:25 · Luke 18:18
Present Active 1 Cor 15:50
Perfect Active Heb 1:4
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract
Aorist Active 1 Cor 15:50 · Heb 12:17
Present Active Heb 1:14
Imperative command or strong request
Aorist Active Matt 25:34
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose
Aorist Active Mark 10:17 · 1 Pet 3:9
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality
Present Active Heb 6:12
Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 18 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect
ongoing 1 prospective 9 resultant 1 imperative 1 subjunctive 2 infinitive 3 participle 1
Tense
future 9 aorist 5 present 3 perfect 1
Voice
active 18
Mood
indicative 11 infinitive 3 subjunctive 2 participle 1 imperative 1

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.

Word Pictures (Robertson)
Sources