"to make common, in NT to profane, desecrate, Acts 21:28; to render ceremonially unclean, defile, pollute, Mt. 15:11, 18, 20; 7:15, 18, 20, 23; Heb. 9:13; to pronounce unclean ceremonially, Acts 10:15; 11:9*"
Definition and meaning
to make common, in NT to profane, desecrate, Acts 21:28; to render ceremonially unclean, defile, pollute, Mt. 15:11, 18, 20; 7:15, 18, 20, 23; Heb. 9:13; to pronounce unclean ceremonially, Acts 10:15; 11:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: κοινόω
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 koinoo (G2840) across the King James Bible.
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
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Common questions
Strong's G2840 (koinoo) is a Greek word that means: to make common, in NT to profane, desecrate, Acts 21:28; to render ceremonially unclean, defile, pollute, Mt. 15:11, 18, 20; 7:15, 18, 20, 23; Heb. 9:13; to pronounce unclean ceremonially, Acts 10:15;... It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word koinoo (G2840) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2840 is koinoo, a Greek word defined as: to make common, in NT to profane, desecrate, Acts 21:28; to render ceremonially unclean, defile, pollute, Mt. 15:11, 18, 20; 7:15, 18, 20, 23; Heb. 9:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
koinoo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.