κλείς

κλείς — kleís

κλείς, κλειδός, accusative κλεῖδα and κλεῖν (Luk 11:52; Rev 3:7), accusative plural κλεῖδας and κλείς (Mat 16:19; Rev 1:18; cf. Kühner, § 130, i., p. 357; Winers Grammar, 65 (63), cf. Buttmann, 24 (22); (WH's Appendix, p. 157)), ἡ (from Homer down); a key. Since the keeper of the keys has the power to open and to shut, the word κλείς is figuratively used in the N. T. to denote power and authority of various kinds (cf. B. D., under the word ) viz. τοῦ φρέατος, to open or unlock the pit, Rev 9:1, cf.; τῆς ἀβύσσου, to shut, Rev 20:1, cf.; τοῦ θανάτου καί τοῦ ᾅδου, the power to bring back into life from Hades and to leave there, Rev 1:18; τῆς γνώσεως, the ability and opportunity to obtain knowledge, Luk 11:52; τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν (see βασιλεία, 3 e., p. 97b under the end), Mat 16:19; τοῦ Δαυίδ, the power of David (who is a type of the Messiah, the second David), i. e. of receiving into the Messiah's kingdom and of excluding from it, Rev 3:7 (apparently after Isa 22:22, where ἡ κλείς οἴκου Δαυίδ is given to the steward of the royal palace).