Lexical Summary
anaklinó: To recline, to lay back, to lean back
Original Word: ἀνακλίνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: anaklinó
Pronunciation: ah-nah-KLEE-no
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ak-lee'-no)
KJV: lay, (make) sit down
NASB: recline, sit down, laid
Word Origin: [from G303 (ἀνά - each) and G2827 (κλίνω - bowed)]
1. to lean back
2. to recline
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
lay, sit down.
From ana and klino; to lean back -- lay, (make) sit down.
see GREEK ana
see GREEK klino
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
ana and
klinóDefinitionto lay upon, lay down, to lie back
NASB Translationlaid (1), recline (3), sit down (2).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 347: ἀνακλίνωἀνακλίνω: future
ἀνακλινῶ; 1 aorist
ἀνέκλινα; passive, 1 aorist
ἀνεκλίθην; future
ἀνακλιθήσομαι; (from
Homer down);
to lean against, lean upon;
a. to lay down: τινα, Luke 2:7 (ἐν (τῇ) φάτνη).
b. to make or bid to recline: Mark 6:39 (ἐπέταξεν αὐτοῖς, namely, the disciples, ἀνακλῖναι (ἀνακλιθῆναι L WH text) πάντας i. e. the people); Luke 9:15 (T Tr WH κατέκλιναν); . Passive, to lie back, recline, lie down: Matthew 14:19; of those reclining at table and at feasts, Luke 7:30 (R G); ; Matthew 8:11 — in the last two passages used figuratively of participation in future blessedness in the Messiah's kingdom.
Topical Lexicon
Reclining and Hospitality in the First-Century World Strong’s Greek 347 describes the action of lowering or leaning someone back, most often for a meal. In the Hellenistic and Roman era banquets were taken while reclining on the left elbow around a three-sided table (triclinium). A host who invited a guest to recline was extending full fellowship, honor, and provision. That social background lies behind every New Testament use of the verb and enriches the theological portraits each passage paints.
Occurrences and Narrative Setting
1. Mark 6:39; Matthew 14:19 – At the feeding of the five thousand Jesus “directed them all to sit down in groups on the green grass” (Mark 6:39). He treats an unorganized multitude as honored dinner guests, evoking Psalm 23 and foreshadowing the Messianic banquet.
2. Luke 12:37 – “Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.” The returning Master reverses roles, picturing Christ’s humble service to those who remain watchful.
3. Matthew 8:11; Luke 13:29 – Both verses envision Gentiles “reclining with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). The verb supplies a vivid image of covenant inclusion and eschatological rest for all nations.
4. Luke 2:7 – Mary “laid Him in a manger.” The same verb that speaks of honored guests at a feast now portrays the infant Messiah laid among animals, underscoring His condescension.
Theological Themes
• Kingdom Banquet. Matthew 8:11 and Luke 13:29 present salvation history as a feast where redeemed people recline with the patriarchs. The verb underscores grace, not merit: invited ones receive a prepared place.
• Shepherd-Host Motif. In Mark 6 Jesus has the crowd recline on “green grass,” recalling “He makes me lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2). The Good Shepherd feeds body and soul.
• Servant Leadership. Luke 12:37 shows the Lord Himself having the faithful recline while He serves. True greatness in the kingdom is expressed in humble service (cf. John 13).
• Incarnation Paradox. Luke 2:7 contrasts royal privilege with humble circumstances; the One who will seat multitudes in glory is first laid where animals feed.
Historical and Ministry Significance
1. Table fellowship remains a powerful ministry tool. Inviting others to a meal—physically or spiritually—reflects the gospel’s welcome.
2. Leaders who “make others recline” imitate Christ by creating safe, nourishing environments and by serving rather than being served.
3. Believers live in anticipation of the ultimate banquet. Every Communion service prefigures the day when “many will come from east and west” to recline with the patriarchs.
4. The humility of Luke 2:7 guards against triumphalism. Exaltation follows humiliation; those who share Christ’s table must first share His servant heart.
Practical Reflection
• Hospitality is an act of evangelism; the dining room can become a sanctuary.
• Watchfulness (Luke 12:35-40) is rewarded with intimate fellowship; spiritual drowsiness forfeits present joy and future honor.
• Cultural boundaries are dismantled in Christ—Gentiles and Jews, rich and poor, insiders and outsiders recline together by grace.
Thus Strong’s 347, though a simple verb for “recline,” is woven into Scripture’s grand narrative, highlighting Christ the Host who prepares a place, serves His people, and invites the nations to eternal rest at His table.
Forms and Transliterations
ανακλιθηναι ανακλιθήναι ἀνακλιθῆναι ανακλιθησονται ανακλιθήσονται ἀνακλιθήσονται ανακλίθητε ανακλίναι ἀνακλῖναι ανακλινει ανακλινεί ἀνακλινεῖ ανακλίσει ανακλιτόν ανεκλίθη ανέκλιναν ανεκλινεν ανέκλινεν ἀνέκλινεν anaklinai anaklînai anaklinei anaklineî anaklithenai anaklithênai anaklithēnai anaklithē̂nai anaklithesontai anaklithēsontai anaklithḗsontai aneklinen anéklinenLinks
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