Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for uncovering the depth and nuances of the scriptures. The word κλισία (klisia) holds particular significance in New Testament interpretation due to its role in describing arrangements and gatherings. Found in Luke 9:14, κλισία is translated as “groups” or “companies,” and it is used to depict how people were organized in structured formations. This word is also notable in the context of ancient Greek culture, where organization, hospitality, and communal meals were central to social and religious life.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: κλισία, transliterated as klisia [klee-SEE-ah].

Etymology: The word κλισία is derived from the verb κλίνω (klinō), meaning “to lean” or “to recline.” The noun form takes on the sense of “a reclining place” or “group,” referring to a gathering where individuals recline together, often for meals.

Part of Speech: Noun, feminine. It follows the first declension pattern in Greek grammar, which involves specific endings for the different cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative) and numbers (singular and plural).

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. A Group or Company: The primary meaning of κλισία is “a group” or “a company.” In the New Testament, this term is used to describe the structured arrangement of people in groups or companies, particularly when organizing them for meals or gatherings.
2. A Place of Reclining: A secondary meaning refers to “a place of reclining,” which is a more literal interpretation, describing the physical arrangement where people recline together, as was the custom during meals in ancient times.
3. An Encampment or Assembly: By extension, κλισία can also signify a broader assembly or encampment where individuals are grouped for a common purpose, whether social, religious, or logistical.

Exploring Similar Words

1. Συμποσίον (symposion) [sim-POH-see-on]: Refers to a “drinking party” or “banquet.” Unlike κλισία, which can refer to any gathering or group, συμποσίον specifically involves drinking and feasting.
2. Συναγωγή (synagōgē) [soo-nah-GOH-geh]: Means “assembly” or “gathering,” particularly for worship. While κλισία can describe any group formation, συναγωγή carries more religious and formal connotations.
3. Στάσις (stasis) [STAH-sis]: Refers to “a standing” or “a faction.” While it also describes a group, στάσις implies a standing or stationary position, often with a sense of conflict or opposition, differing from the neutral or organized gathering implied by κλισία.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender:
κλισία is a feminine noun and follows the first declension. Here is its declension:

Declension Class:
As a first declension noun, κλισία exhibits the standard pattern seen in feminine nouns ending in -α or -η in the nominative singular and changing to -ας or -ης in the genitive singular.

For more insights into Greek noun declensions, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

κλισία, as highlighted in various lexicons, illustrates both its literal and figurative uses. In New Testament contexts, it appears to describe a purposeful organization of people, such as in Luke 9:14, where Jesus instructs His disciples to seat the crowd in groups. Theological implications of κλισία revolve around the themes of community, order, and the practice of hospitality in early Christian gatherings. In classical Greek texts, it often denotes similar contexts where people are arranged or gathered for a specific purpose, enhancing its connotations of intentionality and structure. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Luke 9:14: “For they were about five thousand men. And He said to His disciples, ‘Make them sit down in groups [κλισίας] of about fifty each.’”
2. Mark 6:39-40: “Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups [κλισίας] on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

κλισία is a Greek noun that holds significant meaning in both New Testament and classical contexts, relating to the organization and structure of groups. Its use in Biblical texts emphasizes the ordered community life and the importance of hospitality and fellowship. The word’s flexibility also allows it to convey various nuances from social gatherings to military formations, enriching its applicability in theological and historical studies.

Did You Know?

1. κλισία is closely associated with the practice of reclining while eating, which was a common custom in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures.
2. The word κλισία not only describes physical groupings but also conveys a sense of intentional organization, reflecting the early Christian emphasis on community and order.
3. In the Septuagint, the concept of groupings or arrangements is often implied, connecting κλισία to various Old Testament settings where organization and order were vital, such as in battle formations or during large communal meals.