ἐμβαίνω (G1684) — Greek Lexicon

ἐμβαίνω

embaínō

G1684 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to go or step into; to enter, step onto, or embark. Primarily refers to the action of entering a space physically, whether by stepping onto, going aboard (especially a vessel), or entering into something (such as water or a place). Can specifically denote embarking on a ship, or entering a body of water or another defined area, depending on the context.

Semantic Range

to step into, to embark (on a boat or ship), to enter, to go into, to board, to go up into, to come into

Root / Etymology

Compound of ἐν (in, into) and the root of βαίνω (to go, to step). ἐμβαίνω literally means 'to step into.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐμβαίνω is used for physically stepping or going into a place, often with the nuance of boarding ships or entering boats. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the word retains its basic spatial or physical sense—commonly referring to embarking or going into a location (e.g., a ship, water, a house). The context typically clarifies what is being entered. In the New Testament, it is frequently employed in the narratives of Jesus or his disciples boarding boats or entering specified regions. The English translation 'get into' or 'embark' often conveys the sense, but the Greek can be more general than 'take ship,' including entry into things other than vessels. The verb is more vivid than simple entry, often emphasizing the act of physically stepping or crossing into.

Translation Consistency

primary "enter" 8 occurrences

Enter is a natural, widely understood verb that covers the primary senses of ἐμβαίνω — stepping into or going into a place, boarding or embarking a vessel, and entering a body of water. It is broad enough to render the typical usages while remaining idiomatic in English; more specific verbs like 'embark' or 'board' are narrower, and phrasal options like 'step into' are less suitable as a single base form.

Alternatives (9 occurrences):

"stepped into" (4x) "step into" (2x) "having stepped in" (1x) "stepping into" (1x) "having embarked" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and the base of βάσις; to walk on, i.e. embark (aboard a vessel), reach (a pool):--come (get) into, enter (into), go (up) into, step in, take ship.

Root Family

βαιν- (diabaínō) — to go, to walk, to step

Root βαιν- to step, go, enter

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1224	διαβαίνω	having crossed over
G1910	ἐπιβαίνω	I stepped onto
G4260	προβαίνω	having advanced

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1684-05`	ἐμβὰς	embas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having entered	having stepped into	having entered into	6
`G1684-02`	ἐμβάντα	embanta	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	having gotten	having stepped into	having entered into	2
`G1684-06`	ἐμβῆναι	embenai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to get into	to step into	to step into	2
`G1684-07`	ἐνέβη	enebe	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he got into	he stepped into	he stepped into	2
`G1684-08`	ἐνέβησαν	enebesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	got-into	they stepped into	they stepped into	2
`G1684-01`	ἐμβαίνοντος	embainontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	getting into	of the one stepping into	as he was stepping into	1
`G1684-03`	ἐμβάντες	embantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having entered	having stepped into	having embarked	1
`G1684-04`	ἐμβάντι	embanti	`V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	having gotten into	to the one having stepped into	having stepped in	1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1684-04`	Matthew 8:23	ἐμβάντι	embanti	`V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	having gotten into	to the one having stepped into	having stepped in
`G1684-05`	Matthew 9:1	ἐμβὰς	embas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having entered	having stepped into	having entered into
`G1684-02`	Matthew 13:2	ἐμβάντα	embanta	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	got into	having stepped into	having entered into
`G1684-06`	Matthew 14:22	ἐμβῆναι	embenai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to get into	to step into	to step into
`G1684-07`	Matthew 15:39	ἐνέβη	enebe	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he got into	he stepped into	he stepped into
`G1684-02`	Mark 4:1	ἐμβάντα	embanta	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	having gotten	having stepped into	having entered into
`G1684-01`	Mark 5:18	ἐμβαίνοντος	embainontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	getting into	of the one stepping into	as he was stepping into
`G1684-06`	Mark 6:45	ἐμβῆναι	embenai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to get into	to step into	to step into
`G1684-05`	Mark 8:10	ἐμβὰς	embas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having entered	having stepped into	having entered into
`G1684-05`	Mark 8:13	ἐμβὰς	embas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having-embarked	having stepped into	having entered into
`G1684-05`	Luke 5:3	ἐμβὰς	embas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having gotten in	having stepped into	having entered into
`G1684-07`	Luke 8:22	ἐνέβη	enebe	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	went aboard	he stepped into	he stepped into
`G1684-05`	Luke 8:37	ἐμβὰς	embas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having entered	having stepped into	having entered into
`G1684-05`	John 5:4	ἐμβὰς	embas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	after the troubling	having stepped into	having entered into
`G1684-03`	John 6:17	ἐμβάντες	embantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having entered	having stepped into	having embarked
`G1684-08`	John 6:24	ἐνέβησαν	enebesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	got-into	they stepped into	they stepped into
`G1684-08`	John 21:3	ἐνέβησαν	enebesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they entered	they stepped into	they stepped into

← G1683 Greek Lexicon G1685 →