"to glue or weld together; mid. to adhere to, Lk. 10:11; met. to attach one’s self to, unite with, associate with, Lk. 15:15; Acts 5:13; Rev. 18:5"
Definition and meaning
to glue or weld together; mid. to adhere to, Lk. 10:11; met. to attach one’s self to, unite with, associate with, Lk. 15:15; Acts 5:13; Rev. 18:5
In the original Greek the word is written: κολλάω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 kollao (G2853) across the King James Bible.
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G2853 (kollao) is a Greek word that means: to glue or weld together; mid. to adhere to, Lk. 10:11; met. to attach one’s self to, unite with, associate with, Lk. 15:15; Acts 5:13; Rev. 18:5 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word kollao (G2853) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2853 is kollao, a Greek word defined as: to glue or weld together; mid. to adhere to, Lk. 10:11; met. to attach one’s self to, unite with, associate with, Lk. 15:15; Acts 5:13; Rev. 18:5. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kollao is a Greek word found in the New Testament.