συμπεριλαμβάνω (G4843) — Greek Lexicon

συμπεριλαμβάνω

symperilambánō

G4843 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To embrace, to take or enclose together (with others) by encircling or wrapping around, especially with the arms; to gather closely together in a physical or metaphorical sense. In context, most commonly refers to embracing another person (physically or emotionally) or to the act of including or encompassing within a group or collective action.

Semantic Range

to embrace physically, to enclose or take hold of collectively, to encompass closely, to gather together in arms

Root / Etymology

A compound formed from the preposition σύν ('with, together with'), the preposition περί ('around, about'), and the verb λαμβάνω ('to take, receive'). Literally, 'to take around together' or 'to seize or encompass collectively.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Rare in extant Greek literature, συμπεριλαμβάνω appears in the New Testament only in Acts 20:10, where it describes Paul throwing his arms around Eutychus. The imagery is strongly physical, denoting an earnest act of embracing or enclosing someone closely, often in compassion or emotional intensity. In classical Greek, forms of περιλαμβάνω can mean 'to encircle,' 'to surround,' or even 'to include,' but the further compounding with σύν in the Koine period intensifies the sense of togetherness or shared action. English Bible translations (such as 'embrace' or 'take him in his arms') capture its primary physical meaning, but may not reflect the communal nuance or emphasis on total encircling implied by the prefixed elements. Outside biblical usage, the word is exceptionally rare and carries similar connotations of physical or affective encompassing. Unlike ἀσπάζομαι ('to greet, welcome, salute'), συμπεριλαμβάνω specifically implies direct contact and the act of holding together.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and a compound of περί and λαμβάνω; to take by enclosing altogether, i.e. earnestly throw the arms about one:--embrace.

Root Family

συμπεριλαμβάνω (symperilambanō) — to take, to receive, to enclose, to embrace collectively

Root λαμβαν- to take, to receive, to enclose

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4843-01`	συνπεριλαβὼν	sunperilabon	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	embracing	having embraced	having embraced	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4843-01`	Acts 20:10	συνπεριλαβὼν	sunperilabon	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	embracing	having embraced	having embraced

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