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μεταλαμβάνω

metalambánō

G3335 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To take or receive a share of something; to participate in, partake of, or share in (with another or others). Core meaning involves the act of taking part or receiving one's portion. Contextual senses include participating in a meal, partaking of food or drink, accepting a share in an experience or responsibility, or being a participant in a certain reality or blessing.

Semantic Range

to partake of food; to accept or receive a share; to be a participant; to receive or share in responsibility, blessing, or experience; to eat; to be a partaker of

Root / Etymology

From μετά ('with, among, after') and λαμβάνω ('to take, receive'). The compound expresses the idea of 'taking with,' 'sharing in,' or 'partaking together.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μεταλαμβάνω carries the sense of 'having a share with' or 'participating in' something, especially with others. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the verb is frequently used with food and drink, as in 'to partake of a meal' (e.g., Acts 27:33–35; LXX usage). In the New Testament, the verb can bear a range from concrete ('to eat, to partake of food or drink') to more abstract participation ('to share in' something). Its use in the Septuagint and New Testament does not necessarily imply ritual or religious overtones unless the context specifies such a setting. English translations render μεταλαμβάνω variously as 'partake,' 'share,' 'receive,' or 'take,' but often under-represent the communal or participatory nuance of the word. Distinct from κοινωνέω (to share, to have in common), μεταλαμβάνω emphasizes the act of receiving or taking a portion, sometimes with the implicit association of joining with others in that action.

Translation Consistency

primary "partake" 6 occurrences

‘Partake’ naturally covers eating or drinking, receiving a portion, and being a participant in an experience or blessing. It matches the typical biblical usage and the majority of existing renderings (e.g., ‘partake,’ ‘partaking’) while remaining natural in theological and everyday contexts. Other options (share, participate, receive) either shift focus or are less typical in Bible language.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"having received" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μετά and λαμβάνω; to participate; genitive case, to accept (and use):--eat, have, be partaker, receive, take.

Root Family

μεταλαμβάνω (metalambanō) — to take, to receive, to partake, to share in

Root λαμβ- to take, to receive, to partake, to share in

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3335-01 μεταλαβεῖν metalabein V AOR ACT INF to take to partake of to partake of 3
G3335-03 μεταλαμβάνει metalambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG receives partakes partakes 1
G3335-02 μεταλαβὼν metalabon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having received having partaken having received 1
G3335-05 μετελάμβανον metelambanon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they partook they were partaking they were partaking 1
G3335-04 μεταλαμβάνειν metalambanein V PRS ACT INF to receive to partake to partake 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3335-05 Acts 2:46 μετελάμβανον metelambanon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they partook they were partaking they were partaking
G3335-02 Acts 24:25 μεταλαβὼν metalabon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having received having partaken having received
G3335-01 Acts 27:33 μεταλαβεῖν metalabein V AOR ACT INF to take to partake of to partake of
G3335-01 Acts 27:34 μεταλαβεῖν metalabein V AOR ACT INF to take to partake of to partake of
G3335-04 2 Timothy 2:6 μεταλαμβάνειν metalambanein V PRS ACT INF to receive to partake to partake
G3335-03 Hebrews 6:7 μεταλαμβάνει metalambanei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG receives partakes partakes
G3335-01 Hebrews 12:10 μεταλαβεῖν metalabein V AOR ACT INF share to partake of to partake of
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