μετάλημψις (G3336) — Greek Lexicon

μετάλημψις

metálēmpsis

G3336 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Reception, partaking, or the act of sharing in something. μετάλημψις refers specifically to the act or process of receiving or taking part in something, often with the sense of participation or sharing in a benefit, object, or experience. In context, it can denote partaking (especially of food, drink, or a symbolic act), reception, or communal participation.

Semantic Range

the act of taking part in, reception, participation, partaking (especially in rituals or meals), the act of sharing in something

Root / Etymology

Formed from the verb μεταλαμβάνω ('to partake, share in, participate in, receive a share of') and the abstract noun suffix -σις, indicating the action or process of the verb. No evidence of borrowing from other languages; derived from native Greek roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μετάλημψις is a rare noun, primarily attested in Hellenistic and later Koine Greek, with its key attestations in the New Testament, most notably in reference to the act of partaking—such as in ritual or communal meals (e.g., the Lord's Supper). In these contexts, while later English versions sometimes translate μετάλημψις as 'communion' or 'participation,' these renderings may carry later theological overtones not present in the original usage; the primary denotation is the act of receiving or sharing. Classical Greek did not commonly use this noun; it is formed parallel to other abstract nouns from compound verbs. The related verb μεταλαμβάνω is broader in classical usage (share in, obtain a share), but in Koine Greek it more frequently has the connotation of participating in religious or communal events. Not to be confused with κοινωνία, which emphasizes partnership or fellowship rather than the act of receiving/partaking.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μεταλαμβάνω; participation:--taking.

Root Family

μετάλημψις (metalēmpsis) — reception, partaking, participation, sharing

Root λαμβ- to take, to receive, to partake

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3336-01`	μετάλημψιν	metalempsin	`N ACC F SG`	be received	participation	partaking	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3336-01`	1 Timothy 4:3	μετάλημψιν	metalempsin	`N ACC F SG`	be received	participation	partaking

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