ἀντιλαμβάνομαι
antilambánomai
G482 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To actively take hold of someone or something in a responsive or reciprocal way; to help, support, or assist someone (often by intervening on their behalf or providing practical aid); to take part in something, to participate as one who shares responsibility or benefit. The primary sense is to take up or grasp in a way that responds to a need or situation, especially by providing help or support. The word is frequently used in contexts of direct assistance or beneficial intervention.
Semantic Range
to take hold of (responding to a need), to help, to support, to assist, to come to the aid of, to participate (as a partner or sharer), to intervene on behalf of another
Root / Etymology
Composed of the preposition ἀντί (against, in return, in place of) and the middle voice of λαμβάνω (to take, receive). The compound suggests a taking up in response to, or on behalf of, another, reflecting both initiative and involvement. The middle voice emphasizes participation or personal engagement in the act.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀντιλαμβάνομαι appears as early as the fifth century BCE and primarily means 'to take hold of in turn,' to 'take up on behalf of' someone or something, or 'to help.' In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the verb frequently describes practical support, active assistance, or sharing in burdens (e.g., Psalm 118:173 LXX; Luke 1:54; Acts 20:35). The helping action is often direct and concrete. The idiomatic extension 'to participate' or 'to take part as a sharer' occurs in some post-biblical and non-biblical texts, but the predominant biblical usage centers on the act of providing help or support. In English Bible translation traditions, it is often rendered as 'help,' 'support,' or 'take the side of,' but such renderings may miss nuances of the word’s reciprocal or responsive nuance. The verb does not simply mean general assistance but implies taking active responsibility or part in another's circumstance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀντί and the middle voice of λαμβάνω; to take hold of in turn, i.e. succor; also to participate:--help, partaker, support.
Root Family
ἀντιλαμβάνομαι (antilambanomai) — to take, to receive, to grasp; to help, support, assist
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G482-02 |
ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι | antilambanesthai | V PRS MID INF |
to help | to take hold in support | 1 |
G482-01 |
ἀντελάβετο | antelabeto | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
He has given help | he took hold to help | 1 |
G482-03 |
ἀντιλαμβανόμενοι | antilambanomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
partaking | actively supporting themselves | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G482-01 |
Luke 1:54 | ἀντελάβετο | antelabeto | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
He has given help | he took hold to help |
G482-02 |
Acts 20:35 | ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι | antilambanesthai | V PRS MID INF |
to help | to take hold in support |
G482-03 |
1 Timothy 6:2 | ἀντιλαμβανόμενοι | antilambanomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
partaking | actively supporting themselves |