ἵστημι
histēmi
to stand
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἵστημι (histēmi) is a fundamental verb that means "to stand." It is used 156 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in various contexts. The meaning of "to stand" encompasses a range of actions, from physical standing to figurative stability. In its physical sense, ἵστημι can describe a person standing upright, as in the case of a soldier standing at attention (e.g., Matthew 27:35). However, its usage also extends to figurative contexts, where it conveys a sense of stability, endurance, or firmness. For example, a person who stands firm in their faith (e.g., Acts 2:43) or a community that stands together in the face of adversity (e.g., 1 Corinthians 16:13). The frequency and diversity of ἵστημι's usage in the Bible highlight its importance as a concept that underlies many aspects of human experience. Whether referring to physical posture, emotional resilience, or moral integrity, ἵστημι underscores the value of standing firm in the face of challenges and uncertainties.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
156 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matthew 4:5Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
Matthew 6:5“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 12:25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
Matthew 12:26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
Matthew 12:46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
Matthew 12:47One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”
Matthew 13:2Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.
Matthew 16:28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Matthew 18:2Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them,
Matthew 18:16But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Matthew 20:3He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
Matthew 20:6About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’
Matthew 20:6About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’
Matthew 20:32Jesus stood still, and called them, and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Matthew 24:15“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Matthew 25:33He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Matthew 26:15and said, “What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?” They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:73After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.”
Matthew 27:11Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”
Matthew 27:47Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”
Mark 3:24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Mark 3:25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mark 3:26If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end.
Mark 7:9He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
Mark 9:1He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God’s Kingdom come with power.”
Mark 9:36He took a little child, and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
Mark 10:49Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”
Mark 11:5Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?”
Mark 13:9But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.
Mark 13:14But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,
Luke 11:18If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
Luke 1:11An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Luke 4:9He led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here,
Luke 5:1Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.
Luke 5:2He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
Luke 6:8But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up, and stand in the middle.” He arose and stood.
Luke 6:8But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up, and stand in the middle.” He arose and stood.
Luke 6:17He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;
Luke 7:14He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
Luke 7:38Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luke 8:20Some people told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.”
Luke 8:44came behind him, and touched the fringe of his cloak. Immediately the flow of her blood stopped.
Luke 9:27But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here who will in no way taste of death until they see God’s Kingdom.”
Luke 9:47Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side,
Luke 13:25When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Luke 17:12As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.
Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
Luke 18:13But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Luke 18:40Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him,