κλέμμα

a theft

Definition

κλέμμα specifically denotes the act of theft or the stolen object itself. In the New Testament, it appears only in Revelation 9:21, where it is listed among a catalog of serious sins, including murder, sorcery, and sexual immorality. The word carries the straightforward sense of taking property that belongs to another. Unlike some broader terms for wrongdoing, κλέμμα focuses on the concrete act of stealing, placing it in the context of violations against one's neighbor.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 9:21. In this apocalyptic context, κλέμμα is part of a list describing the unrepentant sins of humanity even after severe divine judgments. Its usage here is not nuanced but serves to comprehensively catalog moral failures, grouping theft with other grave offenses that characterize a society in rebellion against God.

Etymology

Derived from the verb κλέπτω (kleptō, G2813), meaning 'to steal' or 'to act secretly.' The noun form κλέμμα directly signifies the result or the act of that verb—the theft itself. It is a straightforward nominalization, common in Greek, where the -μα (-ma) suffix often indicates the result of an action.

Semantic Range

While a common noun, its sole biblical placement in Revelation 9:21 gives it theological weight. It is listed among sins that provoke God's judgment and demonstrate hard-hearted impenitence. Understanding it as κλέμμα, a specific act of theft, underscores that such concrete violations of the Eighth Commandment (Exodus 20:15) are serious matters in God's eyes and are symptomatic of a broader spiritual condition that rejects repentance.

In the Greco-Roman world, theft was universally condemned in law and moral philosophy as a violation of social order and personal rights. Its inclusion in Revelation's list aligns with both Jewish and Gentile ethical standards, highlighting it as a fundamental breach of justice. The cultural understanding would not differ significantly from a modern basic view of stealing.

κλοπή (klopē, G2829) — A more common synonym also meaning 'theft,' used in passages like Matthew 15:19 and Mark 7:22, often in lists of sins from the heart. ἁρπαγή (harpagē, G724) — Often implies 'robbery' or 'plunder,' a more violent or forceful seizure (Hebrews 10:34).

Word Details

Scripture References