Greek · G2827, G2776 · unreviewed

κλίνας τὴν κεφαλήν

To bow/lay down · the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), 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.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

κλίνω G2827 to bow/lay down

Pronunciation klínō

Bowing of head signals submission, surrender, or life's end; declining describes day's passage toward darkness.

Open lexicon entry →

κεφαλή G2776 the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively

Pronunciation kephalḗ

Metaphorically denotes authority and preeminence, especially Christ's headship over the church.

Open lexicon entry →

What does κλίνας τὴν κεφαλήν (klinas tēn kephalēn) mean in the Bible?

κλίνω · κεφαλή is a Greek word meaning "bowing the head".

Full entry for κλίνας τὴν κεφαλήν (G2827, G2776) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

bowing the head

Grammatical Forms

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

Tenses

Present Perfect Aorist

Voices

Active

Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 2×

Present Active Matt 8:20 · Luke 9:58 2×

Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 1×

Present Active Luke 9:12 1×

Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 2×

Present Active Luke 24:5 1×

Aorist Active John 19:30 1×

Indicative states a fact or reality 2×

Perfect Active Luke 24:29 1×

Aorist Active Heb 11:34 1×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 7 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

completed 1 resultant 1 subjunctive 2 infinitive 1 participle 2

Tense

present 4 aorist 2 perfect 1

Voice

active 7

Mood

indicative 2 participle 2 subjunctive 2 infinitive 1

NT Occurrences

Matthew 8:20 κλίνῃ present active subjunctive subjunctive Luke 9:12 κλίνειν present active infinitive infinitive Luke 9:58 κλίνῃ present active subjunctive subjunctive Luke 24:29 κέκλικεν perfect active indicative resultant Luke 24:5 κλινουσῶν present active participle participle John 19:30 κλίνας aorist active participle participle Hebrews 11:34 ἔκλιναν aorist active indicative completed

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)

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.

1 Corinthians 11 — Honor, Worship Order, and the Lord’s Supper Under the Lordship of Christ Acts 4 — Christ Alone Saves and His Witnesses Speak Boldly Colossians 2 — Fullness in Christ and Freedom from Christ-Plus Religion Ephesians 1 — Blessed in Christ and Enlightened to Know His Power Ephesians 5 — Walking in Love, Light, Wisdom, and Spirit-Filled Order John 19 — The Crucified King: Behold the Man, Behold Your King, It Is Finished, and the Pierced Son Luke 20 — The Rejected Son, the Questioned Authority, and the Lord Who Silences His Opponents Mark 12 — The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering Mark 15 — The Crucified King: Condemnation, Mockery, Death, Confession, and Burial Matthew 14 — The Death of John, the Compassion of Jesus, and the Son of God over Bread, Sea, and Fear Matthew 21 — The King Enters Jerusalem, Judges Fruitless Religion, and Exposes Rejected-Son Leadership

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details