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ὑποδέχομαι

hypodéchomai

G5264 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to receive or welcome (someone) into one’s presence, especially into one’s house; primarily, to admit or accept as a guest, to extend hospitality. By extension, to accept, welcome, or receive someone or something in a positive, open-hearted manner, including receiving spoken words or messages.

Semantic Range

to receive (as a guest), to welcome into one's home, to provide hospitality, to accept with favor, to receive (a person) warmly, to admit into one's company, to grant shelter

Root / Etymology

From ὑπό ('under') and δέχομαι ('to receive, accept'), forming a compound meaning 'to receive under' (i.e., under one’s roof or into one’s care).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ὑποδέχομαι had the basic sense of 'to receive under,' commonly used for welcoming guests into one’s home. In Hellenistic and Koine uses (including the LXX and the New Testament), it often refers to welcoming someone in a way that conveys active hospitality, such as providing for and accepting guests or travelers. In some contexts, it can be broadened to mean accepting or receiving someone with warmth, not strictly limited to physical hospitality (Luke 10:38; Acts 17:7). The standard English translation 'receive' may not fully convey the connotation of hospitality implicit in the word. The term can contrast with simple reception (δέχομαι), in that ὑποδέχομαι often emphasizes the social or cultural norm of hosting and the responsibilities attached. Not limited to private homes, it can extend to receiving someone into one’s group, community, or presence. The word is less common in non-biblical Koine than δέχομαι, but retains its focus on personal, hospitable reception.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπό and δέχομαι; to admit under one's roof, i.e. entertain hospitably:--receive.

Root Family

ὑποδέχομαι (hypodechomai) — receive, welcome, accept, extend hospitality

Root δεχ- to receive, to welcome, to accept

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5264-01 ὑπεδέξατο upedexato V AOR MID IND 3P SG received him welcomed as a guest welcomed as a guest 2
G5264-03 ὑποδεξαμένη upodexamene V AOR MID PTCP NOM F SG having received having welcomed in having welcomed in 1
G5264-02 ὑποδέδεκται upodedektai V PRF MID IND 3P SG has received has welcomed into his care has welcomed into his care 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5264-01 Luke 10:38 ὑπεδέξατο upedexato V AOR MID IND 3P SG welcomed welcomed as a guest welcomed as a guest
G5264-01 Luke 19:6 ὑπεδέξατο upedexato V AOR MID IND 3P SG received him welcomed as a guest welcomed as a guest
G5264-02 Acts 17:7 ὑποδέδεκται upodedektai V PRF MID IND 3P SG has received has welcomed into his care has welcomed into his care
G5264-03 James 2:25 ὑποδεξαμένη upodexamene V AOR MID PTCP NOM F SG having received having welcomed in having welcomed in
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