συλλαμβάνω
syllambánō
G4815 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To take or seize together with others; to grasp or apprehend. In various contexts, συλλαμβάνω may refer to physically arresting or capturing someone (such as by authorities), or joining in an endeavor (to assist or help). Another core usage is 'to conceive' (both of a woman conceiving a child or metaphorically conceiving an idea or plan). The word can also express the act of catching (as in catching fish), or coming to one's aid by taking up part of a burden or task. Its range covers: physically seizing or apprehending; conceiving (pregnancy); assisting or participating together; catching hold of (objects, ideas, or persons).
Semantic Range
to seize, to apprehend, to arrest, to capture, to conceive (pregnancy), to grasp (an idea), to participate with, to help, to assist, to catch
Root / Etymology
From the preposition σύν (with, together) and the verb λαμβάνω (to take, to receive), literally meaning 'to take together with.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb συλλαμβάνω is well attested from Classical Greek (Euripides, Herodotus) through Hellenistic and New Testament periods. In legal and military contexts, it signifies seizing or capturing, especially in coordination with others. In medical and everyday usage, it developed the sense of 'to conceive'—originally referring to the womb 'taking up' or receiving seed, later becoming the standard term for becoming pregnant. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it appears both in the sense of 'to arrest' (e.g., Jesus or John the Baptist being seized by authorities) and 'to conceive' (e.g., Elizabeth, Mary). The meaning 'to help' or 'to assist' evolves from the shared or united nature of the root. English Bible translations often render the various senses as 'arrest', 'seize', 'conceive', or 'help', but may not always clarify the nuance of joint action or partnership inherent in the Greek. Related terms include λαμβάνω (to take), παριστάνω (to present/stand beside), but the 'συν-' prefix in συλλαμβάνω always emphasizes joint or cooperative action.
Translation Consistency
The primary and most typical sense of συλλαμβάνω in biblical contexts is to take hold of or to arrest/capture (physically seize). "Seize" naturally covers catching or taking hold and can extend idiomatically to taking someone into custody; less common senses (assist/participate, conceive) are secondary. Choosing "seize" gives a consistent, natural English base verb that fits the dominant usages.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and λαμβάνω; to clasp, i.e. seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid:--catch, conceive, help, take.
Root Family
συλλαμβάνω (syllambanō) — to seize, to take together, to conceive, to assist
Word Forms
13 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4815-07 |
συνλαβεῖν | sunlabein | V AOR ACT INF |
to arrest | to seize together | to seize together | 3 |
G4815-06 |
συνέλαβον | sunelabon | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
arrested | they seized | they seized | 2 |
G4815-13 |
συνλήμψῃ | sunlempse | V FUT MID IND 2P SG |
you will conceive | you will conceive | you will conceive | 1 |
G4815-03 |
συλλαβοῦσιν | sullabousin | V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M PL |
who arrested | to the ones who seized together | who arrested | 1 |
G4815-02 |
συλλαβοῦσα | sullabousa | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
has conceived | having conceived | having conceived | 1 |
G4815-05 |
συνέλαβεν | sunelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
conceived | seized | conceived | 1 |
G4815-01 |
συλλαβόμενοι | sullabomenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
caught | having seized for themselves | having seized | 1 |
G4815-10 |
συνλαμβάνου | sunlambanou | V PRS MID IMP 2P SG |
help | join in taking hold | help | 1 |
G4815-04 |
συνείληφεν | suneilephen | V PRF ACT IND 3P SG |
has conceived | has taken together | has conceived | 1 |
G4815-09 |
συνλαβόντες | sunlabontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having seized | having taken hold together | having seized | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
16 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4815-07 |
Matthew 26:55 | συνλαβεῖν | sunlabein | V AOR ACT INF |
to seize | to seize together | to seize together |
G4815-07 |
Mark 14:48 | συνλαβεῖν | sunlabein | V AOR ACT INF |
to arrest | to seize together | to seize together |
G4815-05 |
Luke 1:24 | συνέλαβεν | sunelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
conceived | seized | conceived |
G4815-13 |
Luke 1:31 | συνλήμψῃ | sunlempse | V FUT MID IND 2P SG |
you will conceive | you will conceive | you will conceive |
G4815-04 |
Luke 1:36 | συνείληφεν | suneilephen | V PRF ACT IND 3P SG |
has conceived | has taken together | has conceived |
G4815-11 |
Luke 2:21 | συνλημφθῆναι | sunlemphthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to conceive | to be taken together | to be conceived |
G4815-08 |
Luke 5:7 | συνλαβέσθαι | sunlabesthai | V AOR MID INF |
to help | to take hold together for oneself | to help |
G4815-06 |
Luke 5:9 | συνέλαβον | sunelabon | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they had taken | they seized | they seized |
G4815-09 |
Luke 22:54 | συνλαβόντες | sunlabontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having seized | having taken hold together | having seized |
G4815-06 |
John 18:12 | συνέλαβον | sunelabon | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
arrested | they seized | they seized |