verb
klaiamō
Greekκλαίω (klaiō)
Strong’sG2799
I weep, weep for, mourn
stem klai-40 times in the New Testamentin 10 of 27 books23 forms occur
Translated as
What it means
κλαίω,
[in LXX chiefly for בּכה;]
SYN.: v.s. δακρύω.
G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 1922 — public domain. References open in the reader.
Strong’s G2799 — the 1890 definition, and where the word comes from
Saidklah'-yo
to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
Fromof uncertain affinity;
King Jamesbewail, weep.
James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1890 — public domain. The numbers in it link to the entries here.
Forms in the New Testament
| Form and the Greek behind it | What it is | Usually | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| klaiasōκλαίεις | happening now · youpresent active indicative 2nd person singular | weeping | 2× |
| klaiavōκλαίετε | happening now · yepresent active indicative 2nd person plural | weeping | 1× |
| klaialōκλαίουσιν | happening now · theypresent active indicative 3rd person plural | weep | 1× |
| klaiameἔκλαιον | was happening · Iimperfect active indicative 1st person singular | weep | 1× |
| klaiateἔκλαιεν | was happening · he/she/itimperfect active indicative 3rd person singular | wept | 2× |
| klaialeἔκλαιον | was happening · theyimperfect active indicative 3rd person plural | weeping | 1× |
| klaiaviκλαύσετε | will happen · yefuture active indicative 2nd person plural | weep | 2× |
| klaialiκλαύσουσιν | will happen · theyfuture active indicative 3rd person plural | weep | 1× |
| klaiataἔκλαυσεν | happened · he/she/itaorist active indicative 3rd person singular | wept | 3× |
| klaiavaἐκλαύσατε | happened · yeaorist active indicative 2nd person plural | weep | 1× |
| klaiateiaκλαύσῃ | happened · he/she/itaorist active subjunctive 3rd person singular | weep | 1× |
| klaiasōrκλαῖε | happening now · youpresent active imperative 2nd person singular | weep | 2× |
| klaiavōrκλαίετε | happening now · yepresent active imperative 2nd person plural | weep | 3× |
| klaiavarκλαύσατε | happened · yeaorist active imperative 2nd person plural | weep | 2× |
| klaiarōκλαίειν | happening now · the “to …” formpresent active infinitive | weep | 1× |
| klaiarōtosκλαίων | happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative singular masculine | with tears | 1× |
| klaiarōtasκλαίουσα | happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative singular feminine | weeping | 3× |
| klaiarōtanκλαίουσαν | happening now · objectpresent active participle accusative singular feminine | weeping | 1× |
| klaiarōtoisκλαίοντες | happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative plural masculine | weep | 6× |
| klaiarōtaisκλαίουσαι | happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative plural feminine | weeping | 1× |
| klaiarōtoinκλαίοντας | happening now · objectpresent active participle accusative plural masculine | weeping | 2× |
| klaiarōtoiuκλαιόντων | happening now · of, belonging topresent active participle genitive plural masculine | weep | 1× |
| klaiarōtoiκλαίουσιν | happening now · to, forpresent active participle dative plural masculine | weeping | 1× |
Every form the New Testament uses, in paradigm order. What the system can build beyond them — the whole of this verb, whether the text happens to use it or not — is in the tables below.
Every form the system can build — all 86, by mood, including the ones the New Testament never uses
Statements — indicative mood, 15 occurrences
| Who person | happening now present | was happening imperfect | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect | had happened pluperfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | klaiamō | klaiame1×ἔκλαιον | klaiami | klaiama | klaiamē | klaiamelē |
| you 2nd person singular | klaiasō2×κλαίεις | klaiase | klaiasi | klaiasa | klaiasē | klaiaselē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | klaiatō | klaiate2×ἔκλαιεν | klaiati | klaiata3×ἔκλαυσεν | klaiatē | klaiatelē |
| we 1st person plural | klaianō | klaiane | klaiani | klaiana | klaianē | klaianelē |
| ye 2nd person plural | klaiavō1×κλαίετε | klaiave | klaiavi2×κλαύσετε | klaiava1×ἐκλαύσατε | klaiavē | klaiavelē |
| they 3rd person plural | klaialō1×κλαίουσιν | klaiale1×ἔκλαιον | klaiali1×κλαύσουσιν | klaiala | klaialē | klaialelē |
May, might — subjunctive mood, 1 occurrence
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | klaiameiō | klaiameia | klaiameiē |
| you 2nd person singular | klaiaseiō | klaiaseia | klaiaseiē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | klaiateiō | klaiateia1×κλαύσῃ | klaiateiē |
| we 1st person plural | klaianeiō | klaianeia | klaianeiē |
| ye 2nd person plural | klaiaveiō | klaiaveia | klaiaveiē |
| they 3rd person plural | klaialeiō | klaialeia | klaialeiē |
Commands — imperative mood, 7 occurrences
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | klaiasōr2×κλαῖε | klaiasar | klaiasēr |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | klaiatōr | klaiatar | klaiatēr |
| ye 2nd person plural | klaiavōr3×κλαίετε | klaiavar2×κλαύσατε | klaiavēr |
| they 3rd person plural | klaialōr | klaialar | klaialēr |
Wishes — optative mood, no occurrences
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | klaiamoiō | klaiamoia |
| you 2nd person singular | klaiasoiō | klaiasoia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | klaiatoiō | klaiatoia |
| we 1st person plural | klaianoiō | klaianoia |
| ye 2nd person plural | klaiavoiō | klaiavoia |
| they 3rd person plural | klaialoiō | klaialoia |
The “to …” form — infinitive, 1 occurrence
| Who is acting voice | happening now present | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the subject acts active voice | klaiarō1×κλαίειν | klaiari | klaiara | klaiarē |
Used as an adjective — participle, 16 occurrences
| Who is acting voice | happening now present | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the subject acts active voice | klaiarōtos16×κλαίων | klaiaritos | klaiaratos | klaiarētos |
Each is given in the form it takes as a subject. From there a participle carries the ordinary noun endings, in every case, number and gender — so these four columns are the whole of what the verb contributes.
How every form is built — the slots that make them
klai is this word in every one of its forms. The slots after it make all the rest.
same in every form varies — every value shown
Where it appears
40 occurrences, every one of them listed
klaiasō“weeping”happening now · youpresent active indicative 2nd person singular2×
John 20:13“weeping”kai legalō auta ekeinois; Gunaikar, tinem klaiasō? legatō autoi hoti Airala ton kurion mu, kai ouk oidamē pou tithala auton.“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”
John 20:15“weeping”legatō auta Iēsus; Gunaikar, tinem klaiasō? tinon zētasō? ekeinas dokarōtas hoti tos kēpouros atō legatō auto; Kurior, ei sis bastazasa auton, legasar mi pou tithasa auton, kamis auton airami.“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”
klaiavō“weeping”happening now · yepresent active indicative 2nd person plural1×
Mark 5:39“weeping”kai eisercharatos legatō autoi; Tinem thorubivō kai klaiavō? tem paidiem ouk apothnēskata alla katheudatō.He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”
klaialō“weep”happening now · theypresent active indicative 3rd person plural1×
Revelation 18:11“weep”Kai tois emporois tau gēau klaialō kai penthalō epi autan, hoti ton gomon autoiu oudenos agorazatō ouketi,And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo —
klaiame“weep”was happening · Iimperfect active indicative 1st person singular1×
Revelation 5:4“weep”kai mis klaiame pollem hoti oudenos axios heuriskita anoigara tem bibliem oute bleparō autem;And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.
klaiate“wept”was happening · he/she/itimperfect active indicative 3rd person singular2×
Mark 14:72“wept”kai euthuos ek deutereu alektōros fōnata; kai anamimnēskita tos Petros tem rēmem hōs legata auto tos Iēsus hoti Prin alektōron fōnara dis tris min aparnesi, kai epiballaratos klaiate.And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
John 20:11“wept”Marias de histanatelē pros te mnēmeie exō klaiarōtas. hōs oun klaiate parakuptata eis tem mnēmeiem,But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb,
klaiale“weeping”was happening · theyimperfect active indicative 3rd person plural1×
Luke 8:52“weeping”klaiale de pantois kai koptele autan. tos de legata; Mē klaiavōr, ouk gar apothnēskata alla katheudatō.Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.”
klaiavi“weep”will happen · yefuture active indicative 2nd person plural2×
Luke 6:25“weep”ouai vi, toir empimplēirētoir nun, hoti peinavi. ouai, toir gelarōtoir nun, hoti penthavi kai klaiavi.Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
John 16:20“weep”amēn amēn legamō vi hoti klaiavi kai thrēnavi vis, tos de kosmos chairiti; vis lupivi, alla tas lupas vu eis charan gineti.Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
klaiali“weep”will happen · theyfuture active indicative 3rd person plural1×
Revelation 18:9“weep”Kai klaiali kai kopteli epi autan tois basilevois tau gēau tois meta autau porneuaratois kai strēniaratois, hotan blepaleiō ton kapnon tau purōsiau autau,Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her.
klaiata“wept”happened · he/she/itaorist active indicative 3rd person singular3×
Matthew 26:75“wept”kai mimnēskita tos Petros teu rēmeu Iēsu legarētou hoti Prin alektōron fōnara tris aparnesi min, kai exercharatos exō klaiata pikrōs.Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Luke 19:41“wept”Kai hōs engizata, horaratos tan politan klaiata epi autan,As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
Luke 22:62“wept”kai exercharatos exō klaiata pikrōs.And he went outside and wept bitterly.
klaiava“weep”happened · yeaorist active indicative 2nd person plural1×
Luke 7:32“weep”homoiois alō paidiei tei en agora katherōtei kai prosfōnarōtei allēloi, heim legatō; Aulana vi kai ouk orcheva; thrēnana kai ouk klaiava;They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
klaiateia“weep”happened · he/she/itaorist active subjunctive 3rd person singular1×
John 11:31“weep”tois oun Ioudaiois tois arōtois meta autau en ta oikia kai paramutherōtois autan, horaratois tan Mariam hoti tacheōs anistanata kai exerchata, akolouthala auta dokaratois hoti hupagatō eis tem mnēmeiem hina klaiateia ekei.When the Jews who were in the house consoling Mary saw how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
klaiasōr“weep”happening now · youpresent active imperative 2nd person singular2×
Luke 7:13“weep”kai horaratos autan tos kurios splanchnizita epi auta kai legata auta; Mē klaiasōr.When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.”
Revelation 5:5“weep”kai henos ek toiu presbuteroiu legatō mi; Mē klaiasōr; idou nikata tos leōnos tos ek tau fulau Ioudaou, tas rizas David, anoigara tem bibliem kai tain hepta sfragiain auteu.Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
klaiavōr“weep”happening now · yepresent active imperative 2nd person plural3×
Luke 8:52“weep”klaiale de pantois kai koptele autan. tos de legata; Mē klaiavōr, ouk gar apothnēskata alla katheudatō.Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.”
Luke 23:28“weep”strefiratos de pros autain tos Iēsus legata; Thugatērair Ierousalēm, mē klaiavōr epi min; plēn epi heautain klaiavōr kai epi teim tekneim vu,But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
Luke 23:28“weep”strefiratos de pros autain tos Iēsus legata; Thugatērair Ierousalēm, mē klaiavōr epi min; plēn epi heautain klaiavōr kai epi teim tekneim vu,But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
klaiavar“weep”happened · yeaorist active imperative 2nd person plural2×
James 4:9“weep”talaipōravar kai penthavar kai klaiavar; tos gelōtos vu eis penthem metatrepitar kai tas charas eis katēfeian;Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.
James 5:1“weep”Agasōr nun toir plousioir, klaiavar ololuzarōtois epi tai talaipōriai vu tai epercherōtai.Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
klaiarō“weep”happening now · the “to …” formpresent active infinitive1×
Romans 12:15“weep”chairarō meta chairarōtoiu, klaiarō meta klaiarōtoiu.Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
klaiarōtos“with tears”happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative singular masculine1×
Philippians 3:18“with tears”pollois gar peripatalō hoin pollakis legame vi, nun de kai klaiarōtos legamō, toin echthroin tou staurou tou Christou,For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
klaiarōtas“weeping”happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative singular feminine3×
Matthew 2:18“weeping”Fōnas en Rama akouita, klauthmos kai odurmos pollos; Rachēl klaiarōtas teim tekneim autau, kai ouk thelate parakalira hoti ouk alō.“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Luke 7:38“weeping”kai histanaratas opisō para toin podoin autou klaiarōtas, tei dakruei archeta brecharō toin podoin autou kai tai thrixai tau kefalau autau ekmassate, kai katafilate toin podoin autou kai aleifate te mure.As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.
John 20:11“weeping”Marias de histanatelē pros te mnēmeie exō klaiarōtas. hōs oun klaiate parakuptata eis tem mnēmeiem,But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb,
klaiarōtan“weeping”happening now · objectpresent active participle accusative singular feminine1×
John 11:33“weeping”Iēsus oun hōs horata autan klaiarōtan kai toin sunercharatoin auta Ioudaioin klaiarōtoin embrimeta te pneume kai tarassata heauton,When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
klaiarōtois“weep”happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative plural masculine6×
Luke 6:21“weep”makariois tois peinarōtois nun, hoti chortazivi. makariois tois klaiarōtois nun, hoti gelavi.Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Acts 21:13“weeping”tote apokrinita tos Paulos; Tinem poiavō klaiarōtois kai sunthruptarōtois mu tan kardian? mis gar ouk monem dira alla kai apothnēskara eis Ierousalēm hetoimōs echamō huper teu onomeu tou kuriou Iēsu.Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 7:30“weep”kai tois klaiarōtois hōs mē klaiarōtois, kai tois chairarōtois hōs mē chairarōtois, kai tois agorazarōtois hōs mē katecharōtois,those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing;
1 Corinthians 7:30“weep”kai tois klaiarōtois hōs mē klaiarōtois, kai tois chairarōtois hōs mē chairarōtois, kai tois agorazarōtois hōs mē katecharōtois,those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing;
Revelation 18:15“weeping”tois emporois houteiu, tois ploutaratois apo autau, apo makrothen histaneli dia ton fobon tou basanismou autau klaiarōtois kai pentharōtois,The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand at a distance, in fear of her torment. They will weep and mourn,
Revelation 18:19“weeping”kai ballala chouon epi tain kefalain autoiu kai krazala klaiarōtois kai pentharōtois legarōtois; Ouai ouai, tas politas tas megas, en ha ploutala pantois tois echarōtois teim ploieim en ta thalassa ek tau timiotau autau, hoti hena hōra erēmita.Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”
klaiarōtais“weeping”happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative plural feminine1×
Acts 9:39“weeping”anistanaratos de Petros sunerchata autoi; hon paragineraton anagala eis tem huperōem, kai paristanala auto pantais tais chērais klaiarōtais kai epideiknuerōtais chitōnoin kai himatieim hoseim poiate meta autaiu arōtas tas Dorkadas.So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
klaiarōtoin“weeping”happening now · objectpresent active participle accusative plural masculine2×
Mark 5:38“weeping”kai erchelō eis ton oikon tou archisunagōgou, kai theōratō thorubon kai klaiarōtoin kai alalazarōtoin polleim,When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly.
John 11:33“weeping”Iēsus oun hōs horata autan klaiarōtan kai toin sunercharatoin auta Ioudaioin klaiarōtoin embrimeta te pneume kai tarassata heauton,When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
klaiarōtoiu“weep”happening now · of, belonging topresent active participle genitive plural masculine1×
Romans 12:15“weep”chairarō meta chairarōtoiu, klaiarō meta klaiarōtoiu.Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
klaiarōtoi“weeping”happening now · to, forpresent active participle dative plural masculine1×
Mark 16:10“weeping”ekeinas poreuiratas apangellata toi meta autou gineratoi pentharōtoi kai klaiarōtoi;She went and told those who had been with Him, who were mourning and weeping.