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παραλαμβάνω

paralambánō

G3880 verb

SILEX Entry

Root λαμβαν- to take, to receive, to accept, to bring alongside

Definition

To take to oneself, to receive, or to accept, with the primary sense of actively taking or bringing someone or something alongside or into one's company, possession, or care. The term is often used for physically taking or bringing a person (or object) along, or for accepting or receiving instruction, tradition, or responsibility. In certain contexts, it can also denote taking up an office, assuming a role, or accepting information or teaching.

Semantic Range

to take into one's presence, to bring along, to receive (tradition, teaching), to assume (office or duty), to accept (responsibility, information, or instruction), to take into custody, to bring into association

Root / Etymology

Composed of παρά (para, 'beside, alongside') and λαμβάνω (lambanō, 'to take, receive'), literally meaning 'to take alongside oneself.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παραλαμβάνω commonly refers to taking over, assuming, or receiving something or someone, whether physically (e.g., taking someone as companion or into custody) or abstractly (e.g., taking on a charge, receiving information). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it retains this sense but frequently appears in contexts of: (1) taking someone as a companion or bringing them along (e.g., Matthew 17:1; 26:37), (2) receiving or accepting knowledge, tradition, or teaching (1 Corinthians 15:1,3), and (3) assuming responsibility or an official role. The sense of 'receiving tradition' is especially prominent in rabbinic and Christian transmission contexts, where παραλαμβάνω refers to passing on and receiving received teachings. Standard English translations ('receive, take') capture the main uses but often miss the connotation of close association or purposeful receiving. The term is not strictly limited to intimate or familiar relationships, but often implies intentionality and personal involvement in the act of reception or accompaniment. Related terms include ἀναλαμβάνω ('to take up'), but παραλαμβάνω emphasizes bringing alongside or bringing into one's company or group.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and λαμβάνω; to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn:--receive, take (unto, with).

Root Family

παραλαμβάνω (paralambanō) — to take, to receive, to accept, to bring alongside

Word Forms

18 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3880-03 παραλαβὼν paralabon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having taken having taken alongside 10
G3880-06 παραλαμβάνει paralambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG He took he/she takes alongside 8
G3880-17 παρέλαβον parelabon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL received they took alongside 6
G3880-16 παρελάβετε parelabete V AOR ACT IND 2P PL you received you took alongside 5
G3880-01 παράλαβε paralabe V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG take Take alongside yourself 3
G3880-13 παρέλαβε parelabe V AOR ACT IND 3P SG took he took alongside 2
G3880-07 παραλαμβάνεται paralambanetai V PRS PASS IND 3P SG is being taken alongside 2
G3880-14 παρέλαβεν parelaben V AOR ACT IND 3P SG took took alongside 2
G3880-10 παραλημφθήσεται paralemphthesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG will be taken will be taken alongside 2
G3880-05 παραλαβόντες paralabontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having-received having taken alongside 2

Occurrences in Scripture

50 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3880-02 Matthew 1:20 παραλαβεῖν paralabein V AOR ACT INF to take to take alongside
G3880-14 Matthew 1:24 παρέλαβεν parelaben V AOR ACT IND 3P SG took took alongside
G3880-01 Matthew 2:13 παράλαβε paralabe V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG take Take alongside yourself
G3880-13 Matthew 2:14 παρέλαβε parelabe V AOR ACT IND 3P SG took he took alongside
G3880-01 Matthew 2:20 παράλαβε paralabe V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG take Take alongside yourself
G3880-13 Matthew 2:21 παρέλαβε parelabe V AOR ACT IND 3P SG took he took alongside
G3880-06 Matthew 4:5 παραλαμβάνει paralambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG he/she takes alongside
G3880-06 Matthew 4:8 παραλαμβάνει paralambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG he/she takes alongside
G3880-06 Matthew 12:45 παραλαμβάνει paralambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG he/she takes alongside
G3880-06 Matthew 17:1 παραλαμβάνει paralambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG he/she takes alongside
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