Join/Cleave
κολλάω (Kollaō)
To join, cleave, or bind closely together — used of marriage and devotion to God.
The Greek word kollaō means to join, glue, or cleave tightly — used in the New Testament for the intimate bond of marriage, devotion to God, and fellowship with believers.
"And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh." — Matthew 19:5 (KJV)
Key Verses
Matthew 19:5
“And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh.”Read in context
Romans 12:9
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”Read in context
Acts 17:34
“Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.”Read in context
The Meaning of Kollaō
Kollaō literally means to glue or cement together. It describes a bond so strong that separation becomes unnatural. In the LXX (Greek Old Testament), it translates the Hebrew dabaq — to cling or cleave. It conveys inseparable attachment, whether between husband and wife, a person and God, or a believer and the community of faith.
Cleaving in Marriage
Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24 using kollaō: a man shall 'cleave to his wife' and the two become one flesh. Marriage in the biblical vision is not a loose partnership but a glued-together union. The strength of the word reflects God's intention for marriage: permanent, intimate, and inseparable.
Cleaving to God and Good
Romans 12:9 commands believers to 'cleave to that which is good' — to be glued to righteousness with the same tenacity that characterizes marriage. In the same way, Ruth's declaration to Naomi — 'I will not leave thee' — exemplifies kollaō devotion: a loyalty that refuses to let go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cleave mean in the Bible?
Cleave (kollaō) means to glue together or bind inseparably. In marriage, it describes the permanent union between husband and wife. In spiritual life, it describes devoted attachment to God and to what is good.
Why does the Bible use 'cleave' for marriage?
The word kollaō (to glue together) emphasizes that marriage is designed to be a permanent, inseparable bond — two people joined so closely that they become one flesh, reflecting God's covenant faithfulness.
What is the Greek word for "Join/Cleave" in the Bible?
κολλάω (Kollaō), pronounced "kohl-LAH-oh." It means to join, cleave, or bind closely together — used of marriage and devotion to god. It is the word behind "Join/Cleave" in the New Testament, for example in Matthew 19:5.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Join/Cleave"?
Matthew 19:5 — "And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh" (KJV). It also appears in Romans 12:9, Acts 17:34.
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