θάλπω (G2282) — Greek Lexicon

θάλπω

thálpō

G2282 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To keep warm, to provide warmth or comfort. In extended usage, to show tender care or provide loving attention, particularly as one might nurture or protect someone under one’s care. The core literal sense is 'to make or keep warm' (as with physical warmth), with a metaphorical extension to the sense 'to cherish, to tenderly care for.'

Semantic Range

to keep warm, to provide heat, to comfort, to cherish, to foster, to care for tenderly, to nurture

Root / Etymology

Related to the Greek root θάλπ- (to warm, to heat), with cognates such as θάλπος (warmth, heat) and potentially related to the Indo-European root for warmth. The verb itself is well-attested in earlier Greek literature with this literal and later a figurative nuance.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Classically, θάλπω primarily denotes the act of warming or providing physical heat. In Homer and other early Greek authors, it can denote the warming effect of the sun or fire. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the meaning expands metaphorically to describe tender care or affection, especially in familial or nurturing relationships. In the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 5:29, 1 Thessalonians 2:7), it is used metaphorically for the act of cherishing or caring for another, often with parental or spousal overtones. English translations frequently render θάλπω as 'cherish' or 'nourish,' but the underlying imagery is that of warming or keeping warm, which may lack full clarity in translation. The word is not limited to human relationships and can be used of the nurturing care of gods or caregivers in general. Usage in the Septuagint is rare.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably akin to (to warm); to brood, i.e. (figuratively) to foster:--cherish.

Root Family

θάλπω (thalpō) — to warm, to heat, to comfort, to cherish

Root θάλπ- to warm, to heat, to comfort

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2282-01`	θάλπῃ	thalpe	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	cherishes	may tenderly warm	may cherish	1
`G2282-02`	θάλπει	thalpei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	cherishes	he/she warms tenderly	cherishes	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2282-02`	Ephesians 5:29	θάλπει	thalpei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	cherishes	he/she warms tenderly	cherishes
`G2282-01`	1 Thessalonians 2:7	θάλπῃ	thalpe	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	cherishes	may tenderly warm	may cherish

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