εἰσκαλέω
eiskaléō
G1528 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To summon or invite in; primarily, to call someone or a group to enter a location, especially into one’s home or community. The core sense is inviting in, typically in the context of hospitality, legal, or formal reception. Broader senses can include summoning to a meeting or assembly or requesting someone's presence within a specific space.
Semantic Range
to invite in, to call someone into a house or gathering, to summon inward, to request presence within, to receive (as a guest)
Root / Etymology
From the preposition εἰς (into, toward) and the verb καλέω (to call, to summon). Formed by prefixing εἰς- to καλέω, conveying the sense of calling or inviting inward.
Historical & Contextual Notes
εἰσκαλέω is rare in classical Greek and occurs primarily in Hellenistic and Koine contexts, including the Septuagint (e.g., inviting elders or authorities into a household) and the New Testament (Acts 10:23, Acts 11:3), generally referring to inviting or summoning people into a home or gathering place. Usage often implies intentional inclusion, hospitality, or formal invitation, and may contrast with terms such as προσκαλέω (to summon/bring near) in emphasizing movement into a space rather than merely toward it. Standard English translations such as 'invite in,' 'call in,' or 'receive as guest' accurately reflect the word’s functional meaning, though nuances of hospitality or formal summoning may be context-dependent. The verb is constructed directly from εἰς + καλέω, distinct from verbs formed with other prepositional prefixes (e.g., ἐπικαλέω, 'to call upon'), and is more spatially explicit. Attested primarily in Koine sources, its distribution is limited; more common alternatives for general summoning or invitation do not always carry the same inward or welcoming nuance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from εἰς and καλέω; to invite in:--call in.
Root Family
εἰσκαλέω (eiskaleō) — to call, to invite, to summon inward
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1528-01 |
εἰσκαλεσάμενος | eiskalesamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
he invited them in | having invited in | having invited in | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1528-01 |
Acts 10:23 | εἰσκαλεσάμενος | eiskalesamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
he invited them in | having invited in | having invited in |