What does λίθος · ζάω mean in the Bible?
λίθος · ζάω is a Greek phrase meaning "a stone (literally or figuratively)".
Greek · G3037, G2198
λίθος
A stone (literally or figuratively) · to live (literally or figuratively)
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
λίθοςG3037a stone (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciationlíthos
Stone carries metaphorical weight in NT: Christ as cornerstone, believers as living stones, stumbling block.
Open lexicon entry →ζάωG2198to live (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciationzáō
Living physically or spiritually; distinctively means existing in active relationship with God or Christ.
Open lexicon entry →What does λίθος (líthos) mean in the Bible?
λίθος · ζάω is a Greek phrase meaning "a stone (literally or figuratively)".
Full entry for λίθος (G3037, G2198) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G3037, G2198?
G3037, G2198 is connected to 58 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Messiah
Greek phrase. a stone (literally or figuratively)
Source Gloss
a stone (literally or figuratively)
Extended definition
:--(mill-, stumbling-)stone.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 8 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns8Aligned forms58Case patternAccusative (28)Number patternSingular (46)
Nominative · Singular · MasculineMatt 24:2 · Mark 13:2 · Mark 16:4 · Luke 17:2 · Luke 21:6 · John 11:38 · Acts 4:11 · 1 Pet 2:7 · 1 Pet 2:89×
Nominative · Plural · MasculineMatt 4:3 · Mark 13:1 · Luke 19:40 · 1 Pet 2:54×
Genitive · Plural · MasculineMatt 3:9 · Luke 3:82×
Genitive · Singular · MasculineLuke 22:41 · Rev 18:122×
Dative · Singular · MasculineLuke 4:3 · Luke 21:6 · Acts 17:29 · Rom 9:32 · Rev 4:3 · Rev 17:4 · Rev 18:16 · Rev 21:11 · Rev 21:1910×
Dative · Plural · MasculineMark 5:5 · Luke 21:5 · 2 Cor 3:73×
Accusative · Singular · MasculineMatt 4:6 · Matt 7:9 · Matt 21:42 · Matt 21:44 · Matt 24:2 · Matt 27:60 · Matt 27:66 · Matt 28:2 · Mark 12:10 · Mark 13:2 · Mark 15:46 · Mark 16:3 · Luke 4:11 · Luke 19:44 · Luke 20:17 · Luke 20:1825×
Accusative · Plural · MasculineJohn 8:59 · John 10:31 · 1 Cor 3:123×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 134 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present99future20aorist13imperfect2
Voice
active123middle11
Mood
participle57indicative55infinitive12subjunctive10
NT Occurrences
Matthew 4:4ζήσεταιfuture middle indicativeprospectiveMatthew 9:18ζήσεταιfuture middle indicativeprospectiveMatthew 16:16ζῶντοςpresent active participleparticipleMatthew 26:63ζῶντοςpresent active participleparticipleMatthew 27:63ζῶνpresent active participleparticipleMark 5:23ζήσῃaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveMark 16:11ζῇpresent active indicativeongoingLuke 2:36ζήσασαaorist active participleparticipleLuke 4:4ζήσεταιfuture middle indicativeprospectiveLuke 10:28ζήσῃfuture middle indicativeprospectiveLuke 15:13ζῶνpresent active participleparticipleLuke 15:32ἔζησενaorist active indicativecompletedLuke 20:38ζῶσινpresent active indicativeongoingLuke 24:23ζῆνpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveLuke 24:5ζῶνταpresent active participleparticipleJohn 4:10ζῶνpresent active participleparticipleJohn 4:11ζῶνpresent active participleparticipleJohn 4:50ζῇpresent active indicativeongoingJohn 4:51ζῇpresent active indicativeongoingJohn 4:53ζῇpresent active indicativeongoingJohn 5:25ζήσουσινfuture active indicativeprospectiveJohn 6:51ζῶνpresent active participleparticipleJohn 6:51ζήσειfuture active indicativeprospectiveJohn 6:57ζῶνpresent active participleparticipleJohn 6:57ζῶpresent active indicativeongoingJohn 6:57ζήσειfuture active indicativeprospectiveJohn 6:58ζήσειfuture active indicativeprospectiveJohn 7:38ζῶντοςpresent active participleparticipleJohn 11:25ζήσεταιfuture middle indicativeprospectiveJohn 11:26ζῶνpresent active participleparticipleJohn 14:19ζῶpresent active indicativeongoingJohn 14:19ζήσετεfuture active indicativeprospectiveActs 1:3ζῶνταpresent active participleparticipleActs 7:38ζῶνταpresent active participleparticipleActs 9:41ζῶσανpresent active participleparticipleActs 10:42ζώντωνpresent active participleparticipleActs 14:15ζῶνταpresent active participleparticipleActs 20:12ζῶνταpresent active participleparticipleActs 22:22ζῆνpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveActs 25:19ζῆνpresent active infinitiveinfinitive+94 more occurrences
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)
Sampled Scripture Occurrences
Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.
New Testament Witnesses
a stone possessing life
Word Origins
λίθος is a primary word - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
Connects Christ’s resurrection life to the vitality of the church.1 Peter 2:1-10
Canonical Themes
Messiah