← G2982 G2984 →

λαμβάνω

lambánō

G2983 verb

SILEX Entry

Root λαμβ- to take, to receive, to obtain

Definition

To take, receive, or acquire something; to grasp or lay hold of (physically or metaphorically). λαμβάνω often conveys the idea of actively taking possession of an object, opportunity, or message, or of receiving something given, whether tangible (like food or objects) or intangible (like authority, information, or spiritual benefit). Depending on context, it can denote to collect, obtain, take up, seize, or accept, with nuance ranging from assertive to neutral acquisition.

Semantic Range

to take hold of, to seize, to receive, to accept, to collect, to obtain, to grasp (physically or mentally), to receive a visitor or guest, to get (acquire), to undertake, to experience, to be given

Root / Etymology

Rooted in the Greek stem λαμβ-, cognate with classical Greek λαμβάνω. The etymology is Indo-European, related to words meaning 'to take, seize.' The prolonged form (λαμβάνω) distinguishes it from the rarely used alternate form, emphasizing its frequent use in Koine Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, λαμβάνω is the standard verb for taking or receiving, whether by one’s own initiative, by request, or passively as a recipient. Distinctions are sometimes observed between λαμβάνω and δέχομαι: while λαμβάνω usually stresses the act of taking (often with intentionality or physicality), δέχομαι tends to emphasize receiving what is offered or bestowed. In comparison, αἱρέω implies a more forceful or violent action, like seizing or snatching. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, λαμβάνω appears in a wide variety of contexts — from physically taking objects (e.g., bread, weapons), to receiving instruction or authority, to metaphorical senses such as 'receiving' the Spirit or 'accepting' a message. Modern translations typically render it as 'receive' or 'take', but nuance can be lost, especially in passages where voluntary versus involuntary acceptance is at issue. Its broad semantic range means careful attention to context is necessary for precise translation. English translations sometimes obscure the difference between λαμβάνω (active-taking) and δέχομαι (passive-receiving).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas δέχομαι is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while αἱρέομαι is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).

Root Family

λαμβάνω (lambanō) — to take, to receive, to obtain

Word Forms

42 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2983-20 λαβὼν labon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having taken having taken 40
G2983-11 ἔλαβον elabon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL received they took 26
G2983-14 λαβεῖν labein V AOR ACT INF to receive to take 22
G2983-07 ἔλαβεν elaben V AOR ACT IND 3P SG took he took 20
G2983-28 λαμβάνει lambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG receives takes 17
G2983-23 λαβόντες labontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL taking having taken 15
G2983-09 ἐλάβετε elabete V AOR ACT IND 2P PL you received you received 12
G2983-13 λάβῃ labe V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG he might receive he may take 10
G2983-15 λάβετε labete V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Take Take! 8
G2983-40 λήμψεται lempsetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG he will receive he will take for himself 8

Occurrences in Scripture

259 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2983-14 Matthew 5:40 λαβεῖν labein V AOR ACT INF to take
G2983-28 Matthew 7:8 λαμβάνει lambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG takes
G2983-07 Matthew 8:17 ἔλαβεν elaben V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he took
G2983-09 Matthew 10:8 ἐλάβετε elabete V AOR ACT IND 2P PL you received
G2983-28 Matthew 10:38 λαμβάνει lambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG takes
G2983-40 Matthew 10:41 λήμψεται lempsetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG he will take for himself
G2983-40 Matthew 10:41 λήμψεται lempsetai-2 V FUT MID IND 3P SG he will take for himself
G2983-11 Matthew 12:14 ἔλαβον elabon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they took
G2983-36 Matthew 13:20 λαμβάνων lambanon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG one taking
G2983-20 Matthew 13:31 λαβὼν labon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having taken
← G2982 Greek Lexicon G2984 →