Lexical Summary anakeimai: To recline, to lie down, to be laid up Original Word: ἀνάκειμαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lean or recline at the table. From ana and keimai; to recline (as a corpse or at a meal) -- guest, lean, lie, sit (down, at meat), at the table. see GREEK ana see GREEK keimai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and keimai Definition to be laid up, to recline NASB Translation dinner guests (3), reclined (1), reclines (2), reclining (7), seated (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 345: ἀνάκειμαιἀνάκειμαι; (imperfect 3 person singular ἀνέκειτο); deponent middle to be laid up, laid: Mark 5:40 R L brackets (cf. English to lay out). In later Greek to lie at table (on thelectustricliniaris (cf. B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 345, ἀνακεῖμαι (anakeimai), portrays the first-century practice of reclining on a couch while partaking of a meal. In Scripture it frames scenes of fellowship, invitation, judgment, and eschatological promise. The posture itself is never incidental; it locates the participants within covenantal meals that anticipate the Messianic banquet and reveal the heart of Christ for sinners and saints alike. Cultural Background of Reclining By the early Roman period Jewish and Gentile diners adopted the Greco-Roman triclinium. Guests lay on the left side, feet extended outward, right hand free for eating. Reclining indicated belonging, honor, and enjoyment. Servants moved among the couches; hosts signaled welcome through seating order. The New Testament leverages this setting to teach on humility (Luke 22:27), inclusion (Matthew 9:10), and eschatology (Matthew 22:10-13). Scenes in the Synoptic Gospels Matthew Mark Luke Johannine Portraits of Intimacy John’s Gospel intensifies the symbolism. Eschatological Resonance Reclining anticipates the prophetic promise: “Many will come from east and west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). Each Gospel occurrence points toward that coming feast, where fellowship is perfected and righteousness required. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Fellowship: Reclining signals covenantal acceptance; sinners made guests through grace. Ministry Applications • Hospitality as witness: Believers emulate Jesus by welcoming outsiders to their tables, proclaiming the gospel through shared meals. Summary ἀνακεῖμαι threads through Gospel narratives as more than a cultural detail; it embodies grace offered, humility modeled, and glory anticipated. Each reclining scene invites the reader likewise to rest in the Messiah, serve His people, and look forward to the eternal banquet prepared for all who are clothed in His righteousness. Forms and Transliterations ανακειμενοις ανακειμένοις ἀνακειμένοις ανακείμενον ανακειμενος ανακείμενος ἀνακείμενος ανακειμενου ανακειμένου ἀνακειμένου ανακειμενους ανακειμένους ἀνακειμένους ανακειμενων ανακειμένων ἀνακειμένων ανάκειται ανεκειτο ανέκειτο ἀνέκειτο anakeimenois anakeiménois anakeimenon anakeimenōn anakeiménon anakeiménōn anakeimenos anakeímenos anakeimenou anakeiménou anakeimenous anakeiménous anekeito anékeitoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 9:10 V-PPM/P-GMSGRK: ἐγένετο αὐτοῦ ἀνακειμένου ἐν τῇ NAS: that as Jesus was reclining [at the table] in the house, KJV: as Jesus sat at meat in INT: it came to pass at his reclining [at table] in the Matthew 22:10 V-PPM/P-GMP Matthew 22:11 V-PPM/P-AMP Matthew 26:7 V-PPM/P-GMS Matthew 26:20 V-IIM/P-3S Mark 6:26 V-PPM/P-AMP Mark 14:18 V-PPM/P-GMP Mark 16:14 V-PPM/P-DMP Luke 22:27 V-PPM/P-NMS Luke 22:27 V-PPM/P-NMS John 6:11 V-PPM/P-DMP John 12:2 V-PPM/P-GMP John 13:23 V-PPM/P-NMS John 13:28 V-PPM/P-GMP Strong's Greek 345 |
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