To Set Upon or Recline (κεῖμαι)

To set upon or recline (κεῖμαι) is used in a literal and metaphorical sense to express that which is laid upon something for a purpose.

In response to the Pharisees coming to John for immersion, John states that even now the axe has been laid on the roots of the tree, indicating their false religious system was about to fall because the Messiah is coming, for they had usurped the law of Moses for the traditions of their fathers, Matthew 3:10. After the birth of Christ, when He was taken to the Temple, Simon the Priest blessed Joseph and Mary and said to her, this child is laid for the fall and rise of many in Israel and for a sign that will be spoken against, Luke 2:34.

As a child is rocked in his mother’s arms or laid to rest in a manger, as Christ was after his birth, Luke 2:12, laid is also used of how Satan pacifies the world system to control it, 1 John 5:19. Satan placates the world system to maintain control, for he is the father of it.

There is a veil that lays upon the hearts the Jews when they read the Mosaic law, 2 Corinthians 3:15. The glory of the law fades away at the coming of Christ because the law was not laid down for a righteous man, 1 Timothy 1:9-10. Moses indicated this when he would cover his face with a veil so that the sons of Israel did not see the glory of God that was upon him fade, 2 Corinthians 3:13. However, this veil is taken away when they turn to the Lord, 2 Corinthians 3:16.

Although Christ’s body was laid in a tomb, three days later it was no longer there, for He had risen. On that third day, Mary Magdalen and Mary came to the tomb with spices for the body to find the tomb open. The guards before the tomb shook in fear and became as dead men, but an angle spoke to the women telling them not to fear and come look, for He has risen and the place where He was laid is empty, Matthew 28:6, with only the linen cloths lying by themselves, Luke 24:12.

Paul was laid down for a defense of the Gospel of the Christ, Philippians 1:17. Because of this, his chains and tribulations were not something that should cause the believers to be shaken, 1 Thessalonians 3:3. Instead, whether out of strife and envy, or selfish ambition, with the purpose of bring more affliction upon Paul, those who oppose the gospel declared it, Philippians 1:18.

To set upon or recline has its root in that which causes to stand. Whether a city upon a hill so that it cannot be hidden, Matthew 5:14, water pots for purification, John 2:6, or a rich man laying up goods for himself, Luke 12:19, that which is laid is set for a reason.