ἐμβάπτω
embáptō
G1686 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To dip or immerse (an object or part thereof) into a liquid, typically with the motion of plunging or touching lightly; to submerge or insert briefly in a fluid. In Koine Greek, most often used for moistening or dipping a piece of food (such as bread) into sauce or a liquid condiment, but can more generally refer to briefly placing or immersing something in liquid.
Semantic Range
to dip, to moisten by dipping, to immerse briefly, to insert a part into liquid, to submerge an object (partly or wholly)
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐν ('in, into') and the verb βάπτω ('to dip, immerse, stain')—literally 'to dip into.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἐμβάπτω occurs rarely in extant Greek literature, with its primary attestation in the New Testament (notably in Matthew 26:23, Mark 14:20, and John 13:26), describing the action of dipping a morsel of bread into a dish. Unlike its cognate βαπτίζω (baptizō), which often implies complete immersion and ritual or symbolic washing, ἐμβάπτω specifically denotes the act of dipping a part (e.g., a hand or bread) into liquid, without the extended connotations of ceremonial cleansing. The term does not carry the later religious or ritualistic associations of βαπτίζω and is unrelated to initiatory rites. In classical Greek, βάπτω is used more broadly for dipping or dyeing, but ἐμβάπτω is not widely employed outside Koine contexts. Standard English translations ('dip') accurately reflect its usage in the New Testament, though 'immerse' overstates the extent of contact implied. The word's infrequency may explain its limited semantic development and lack of metaphorical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐν and βάπτω; to whelm on, i.e. wet (a part of the person, etc.) by contact with a fluid:--dip.
Root Family
ἐμβάπτω (embaptō) — to dip, to immerse, to insert into liquid
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1686-01 |
ἐμβάψας | embapsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having dipped into liquid | 1 | |
G1686-02 |
ἐμβαπτόμενος | embaptomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
dipping | the one dipping into liquid | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1686-01 |
Matthew 26:23 | ἐμβάψας | embapsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having dipped into liquid | |
G1686-02 |
Mark 14:20 | ἐμβαπτόμενος | embaptomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
dipping | the one dipping into liquid |