"intrans. to weep, shed tears, Mt. 26:75; Mk. 5:38, 39; Lk. 19:41; 23:28; trans. to weep for, bewail, Mt. 2:18"
Definition and meaning
intrans. to weep, shed tears, Mt. 26:75; Mk. 5:38, 39; Lk. 19:41; 23:28; trans. to weep for, bewail, Mt. 2:18
In the original Greek the word is written: κλαίω
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 klaio (G2799) across the King James Bible.
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
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Common questions
Strong's G2799 (klaio) is a Greek word that means: intrans. to weep, shed tears, Mt. 26:75; Mk. 5:38, 39; Lk. 19:41; 23:28; trans. to weep for, bewail, Mt. 2:18 It appears 34 times in the King James Bible.
The word klaio (G2799) appears 34 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2799 is klaio, a Greek word defined as: intrans. to weep, shed tears, Mt. 26:75; Mk. 5:38, 39; Lk. 19:41; 23:28; trans. to weep for, bewail, Mt. 2:18. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
klaio is a Greek word found in the New Testament.