παραδέχομαι (G3858) — Greek Lexicon

παραδέχομαι

paradéchomai

G3858 verb

SILEX Entry

Root δεχ- to receive, to accept, to welcome

Definition

To receive or accept alongside oneself, to welcome or admit someone or something with a sense of personal involvement. The verb can indicate accepting a person, idea, report, or tradition earnestly or with goodwill; it may also imply approval or active agreement in certain contexts. While the core meaning is to receive or accept, the sense often intensifies to suggest positive acceptance, warm welcome, or endorsement.

Semantic Range

to receive (a person or thing) alongside oneself, to admit into one's presence or association, to accept (an idea, tradition, accusation), to welcome or endorse, to delight in (accept with approval)

Root / Etymology

From παρά (beside, alongside) and δέχομαι (to receive). The compound formation emphasizes personal or close acceptance, signifying not merely reception but often active or engaged acceptance. The underlying root is δεχ-, relating to receiving or taking in.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παραδέχομαι appears occasionally in the sense of admitting or accepting something in a close or personal way. In Hellenistic (Koine) usage, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, it often describes the acceptance of teachings, traditions, or people, conveying not only the act of receiving but also an element of positive response, endorsement, or hospitality. In the New Testament (e.g., Mark 7:4; 1 Timothy 5:19), it frequently refers to receiving reports, traditions, or accusations, sometimes with the nuance of accepting an authority or testimony as valid. The sense of 'delight in' emerges contextually where the receipt is not only factual but also embraces the content or person with approval or goodwill. English translations like 'receive,' 'admit,' or 'welcome' can capture aspects of the meaning, but often underplay the depth of personal engagement implied by the compound. Unlike δέχομαι alone, παραδέχομαι accentuates proximity or active involvement in the act of receiving. Compared to παράλαμβάνω (to take alongside, often with more physical or procedural connotation), παραδέχομαι is more focused on conscious, sometimes heartfelt acceptance. The term does not inherently imply religious or ritual reception, though such contexts are attested.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and δέχομαι; to accept near, i.e. admit or (by implication) delight in:--receive.

Root Family

παραδέχομαι (paradechomai) — to receive, to accept, to welcome

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G3858-06`	παρεδέχθησαν	paredechthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	they were received	they were welcomed	1
`G3858-01`	παραδέχεσθαι	paradechesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	to receive	to receive for oneself	1
`G3858-03`	παραδέχονται	paradechontai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	receive	they are welcoming	1
`G3858-04`	παραδέχου	paradechou	`V PRS MID IMP 2P SG`	receive	welcome for yourself	1
`G3858-02`	παραδέχεται	paradechetai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`		is warmly accepting	1
`G3858-05`	παραδέξονταί	paradexontai	`V FUT MID IND 3P PL`	they will receive	they will welcome for themselves	1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G3858-03`	Mark 4:20	παραδέχονται	paradechontai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	receive	they are welcoming
`G3858-06`	Acts 15:4	παρεδέχθησαν	paredechthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	they were received	they were welcomed
`G3858-01`	Acts 16:21	παραδέχεσθαι	paradechesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	to receive	to receive for oneself
`G3858-05`	Acts 22:18	παραδέξονταί	paradexontai	`V FUT MID IND 3P PL`	they will receive	they will welcome for themselves
`G3858-04`	1 Timothy 5:19	παραδέχου	paradechou	`V PRS MID IMP 2P SG`	receive	welcome for yourself
`G3858-02`	Hebrews 12:6	παραδέχεται	paradechetai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`		is warmly accepting

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