"to lay, to arrange, to gather; to say, Mt. 1:20; to speak, make an address or speech, Acts 26:1; to say mentally, in thought, Mt. 3:9; Lk. 3:8; to say in written language, Mk. 15:28; Lk. 1:63; Jn. 19:37; to say, as distinguished from acting, Mt. 23:3; to mention, speak of, Mk. 14..."
Definition and meaning
to lay, to arrange, to gather; to say, Mt. 1:20; to speak, make an address or speech, Acts 26:1; to say mentally, in thought, Mt. 3:9; Lk. 3:8; to say in written language, Mk. 15:28; Lk. 1:63; Jn. 19:37; to say, as distinguished from acting, Mt. 23:3; to mention, speak of, Mk. 14:71; Lk. 9:31; Jn. 8:27; to tell, declare, narrate, Mt. 21:27; Mk. 10:32; to express, Heb. 5:11; to put forth, propound, Lk. 5:36; 13:6; Jn. 16:29; to mean, to intend to signify, 1 Cor. 1:12; 10:29; to say, declare, affirm, maintain, Mt. 3:9; 5:18; Mk. 12:18; Acts 17:7; 26:22; 1 Cor. 1:10; to enjoin, Acts 15:24; 21:21; Rom. 2:22; to term, designate, cull, Mt. 19:17; Mk. 12:37; Lk. 20:37; 23:2; 1 Cor. 8:5; to call by a name, Mt. 2:23; pass. to be further named, to be surnamed, Mt. 1:16; to be explained, interpreted, Jn. 4:25; 20:16, 24; in NT σὺ λέγεις, you say, a form of affirmative answer to a question Mt. 27:11; Mk. 15:2; Jn. 18:37
In the original Greek the word is written: λέγω
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 lego (G2036) across the King James Bible.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
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Common questions
Strong's G2036 (lego) is a Greek word that means: to lay, to arrange, to gather; to say, Mt. 1:20; to speak, make an address or speech, Acts 26:1; to say mentally, in thought, Mt. 3:9; Lk. 3:8; to say in written language, Mk. 15:28; Lk. 1:63; Jn. 19:... It appears 899 times in the King James Bible.
The word lego (G2036) appears 899 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2036 is lego, a Greek word defined as: to lay, to arrange, to gather; to say, Mt. 1:20; to speak, make an address or speech, Acts 26:1; to say mentally, in thought, Mt. 3:9; Lk. 3:8; to say. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
lego is a Greek word found in the New Testament.