Understanding ἀπόκειμαι (apokeimai) Strong’s G606: The Reserved Treasure and Divine Appointments in God’s Perfect Timing

Pronunciation Guide: ap-ok’-i-mahee

Basic Definition

Strong’s G606: ἀπόκειμαι (apokeimai) conveys the idea of being laid away, stored up, or reserved for a specific purpose. It carries the profound sense of something being divinely appointed or specially set aside, often with implications of both spatial and temporal reservation. This word beautifully captures the concept of God’s sovereign preparation and perfect timing in His plans.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (away from) + κεῖμαι (to lie, be laid)
• Present middle/passive indicative
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Rare in classical Greek literature
• Found in both literal and metaphorical contexts

ἀπόκειμαι Morphology:

• ἀπόκειμαι (present indicative) – I am laid up/reserved
• ἀποκείμενος (present participle masculine) – being laid up/reserved
• ἀποκειμένη (present participle feminine) – being laid up/reserved
• ἀποκείμενον (present participle neuter) – being laid up/reserved

Origin & History

The verb ἀπόκειμαι emerged from the combination of the preposition ἀπό (indicating separation or reservation) and the verb κεῖμαι (to lie). In classical Greek literature, it was used primarily in contexts of storage and safekeeping, as seen in Herodotus’s Histories when describing valuable items stored in temples.

In the Septuagint, ἀπόκειμαι appears in contexts involving divine providence and promised blessings, notably in Genesis 49:10 regarding the coming of Shiloh, foreshadowing the Messiah. The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria in his “Stromata,” employed the term when discussing God’s predetermined plans and spiritual treasures reserved for believers.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Something physically stored or laid away for future use
• A divine appointment or predetermined plan
• A treasure or reward reserved for a specific time
• A destined outcome or prophecy awaiting fulfillment

ἀπόκειμαι Translation Options:

• “is laid up” – emphasizing the secure storage of something valuable
• “is reserved” – highlighting divine appointment and sovereignty
• “is destined” – focusing on the predetermined nature of the subject
• “awaits” – capturing both the temporal and expectant aspects
• “is stored up” – emphasizing safekeeping for future purpose

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀπόκειμαι appears only four times, each instance carrying significant theological weight. Its first appearance in Luke 19:20 occurs in the Parable of the Minas, where the unfaithful servant’s action of laying away the mina represents poor stewardship and missed opportunity.

The word takes on more profound spiritual significance in other contexts, particularly in Colossians 1:5 where it describes the hope laid up in heaven for believers. This usage emphasizes the security and certainty of God’s promises.

• “And behold, here is your mina, which I kept laid away [ἀπόκειμαι] in a handkerchief” Luke 19:20
• “because of the hope laid up [ἀπόκειμαι] for you in heaven” Colossians 1:5
• “Henceforth there is laid up [ἀπόκειμαι] for me the crown of righteousness” 2 Timothy 4:8
• “And just as it is appointed [ἀπόκειμαι] for man to die once” Hebrews 9:27

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of storing treasures was deeply significant, often connected to the practice of setting aside portions of harvest in storehouses for future use or religious offerings. This cultural practice provides rich context for understanding ἀπόκειμαι, particularly in its metaphorical usage regarding spiritual treasures.

The word also reflects the ancient Middle Eastern custom of royal treasuries, where valuable items were kept under seal for specific purposes or persons. This imagery would have resonated strongly with first-century readers, helping them grasp the concept of heavenly rewards being securely stored by God Himself.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπόκειμαι in Scripture beautifully illustrates God’s sovereign care and perfect timing. It speaks to His character as both the faithful keeper of promises and the righteous judge who ensures every divine appointment comes to pass. The word appears in contexts emphasizing both comfort (rewards laid up for believers) and solemn reality (the appointed time of judgment).

This term uniquely captures the tension between present reality and future fulfillment in biblical theology. It reminds us that God’s promises, while certain, often involve a period of waiting and trust. The security implied in ἀπόκειμαι assures us that what God has reserved cannot be lost or stolen.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀπόκειμαι challenges believers to live with eternal perspective, knowing that God has secured precious spiritual treasures for those who love Him. It encourages faithful stewardship, reminding us not to “lay away” our gifts and opportunities like the unfaithful servant, but to invest them wisely for the Kingdom.

This word also brings comfort in times of waiting, assuring us that God’s timing is perfect and His promises are secure. When we feel our hopes are delayed, ἀπόκειμαι reminds us that what is laid up in heaven is beyond the reach of rust and moth.

Related Words

• θησαυρίζω (thēsaurizō) – to store up, gather, save; specifically focuses on the act of accumulating treasure. See G2343
• τηρέω (tēreō) – to guard, keep, preserve; emphasizes watchful care and protection. See G5083
• φυλάσσω (phylassō) – to guard, watch, keep; stresses protective custody. See G5442
• διατηρέω (diatēreō) – to keep carefully, preserve; implies thorough protection. See G1301

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀπόκειμαι in ancient banking practices involved sealed documents being stored in temple vaults, providing a powerful image of how our heavenly rewards are securely kept by God.
• In archaeological findings from first-century synagogues, storage rooms called genizah were discovered where sacred texts were “laid away” – a physical representation of the reverent care implied in ἀπόκειμαι.
• Modern Greek still uses forms of ἀπόκειμαι in legal contexts for assets held in trust or escrow, maintaining its core meaning of secure reservation for a specific purpose.

Remember This

ἀπόκειμαι reminds us that in God’s economy, nothing of value is ever lost – what He reserves is eternally secure, awaiting its perfect time of revelation.