"to sleep, be fast asleep, Mt. 8:24; 9:24; met. to sleep in spiritual sloth, Eph. 5:14; 1 Thess. 5:6; to sleep the sleep of death, to die, 1 Thess. 5:10"
Definition and meaning
to sleep, be fast asleep, Mt. 8:24; 9:24; met. to sleep in spiritual sloth, Eph. 5:14; 1 Thess. 5:6; to sleep the sleep of death, to die, 1 Thess. 5:10
In the original Greek the word is written: καθεύδω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of katheudo (G2518) across the King James Bible.
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
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Common questions
Strong's G2518 (katheudo) is a Greek word that means: to sleep, be fast asleep, Mt. 8:24; 9:24; met. to sleep in spiritual sloth, Eph. 5:14; 1 Thess. 5:6; to sleep the sleep of death, to die, 1 Thess. 5:10 It appears 20 times in the King James Bible.
The word katheudo (G2518) appears 20 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2518 is katheudo, a Greek word defined as: to sleep, be fast asleep, Mt. 8:24; 9:24; met. to sleep in spiritual sloth, Eph. 5:14; 1 Thess. 5:6; to sleep the sleep of death, to die, 1 Thess. 5:1. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
katheudo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.