παραλαμβάνω
paralambánō
G3880 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To take to oneself, to receive, or to accept, with the primary sense of actively taking or bringing someone or something alongside or into one's company, possession, or care. The term is often used for physically taking or bringing a person (or object) along, or for accepting or receiving instruction, tradition, or responsibility. In certain contexts, it can also denote taking up an office, assuming a role, or accepting information or teaching.
Semantic Range
to take into one's presence, to bring along, to receive (tradition, teaching), to assume (office or duty), to accept (responsibility, information, or instruction), to take into custody, to bring into association
Root / Etymology
Composed of παρά (para, 'beside, alongside') and λαμβάνω (lambanō, 'to take, receive'), literally meaning 'to take alongside oneself.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, παραλαμβάνω commonly refers to taking over, assuming, or receiving something or someone, whether physically (e.g., taking someone as companion or into custody) or abstractly (e.g., taking on a charge, receiving information). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it retains this sense but frequently appears in contexts of: (1) taking someone as a companion or bringing them along (e.g., Matthew 17:1; 26:37), (2) receiving or accepting knowledge, tradition, or teaching (1 Corinthians 15:1,3), and (3) assuming responsibility or an official role. The sense of 'receiving tradition' is especially prominent in rabbinic and Christian transmission contexts, where παραλαμβάνω refers to passing on and receiving received teachings. Standard English translations ('receive, take') capture the main uses but often miss the connotation of close association or purposeful receiving. The term is not strictly limited to intimate or familiar relationships, but often implies intentionality and personal involvement in the act of reception or accompaniment. Related terms include ἀναλαμβάνω ('to take up'), but παραλαμβάνω emphasizes bringing alongside or bringing into one's company or group.
Translation Consistency
'Receive' naturally covers the primary range of παραλαμβάνω — accepting or taking someone/something into one’s presence, accepting teaching or responsibility, and taking up a role — while matching the frequent P2 renderings (e.g. “received”) and sounding natural across contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from παρά and λαμβάνω; to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn:--receive, take (unto, with).
Root Family
παραλαμβάνω (paralambanō) — to take, to receive, to accept, to bring alongside
Word Forms
18 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3880-03 |
παραλαβὼν | paralabon | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having taken | having taken alongside | having received alongside | 10 |
G3880-06 |
παραλαμβάνει | paralambanei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
takes | he/she takes alongside | he takes alongside | 8 |
G3880-17 |
παρέλαβον | parelabon | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
received | they took alongside | I received | 6 |
G3880-16 |
παρελάβετε | parelabete | V AOR ACT IND 2P PL |
you received | you took alongside | you received | 5 |
G3880-01 |
παράλαβε | paralabe | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
take | Take alongside yourself | Receive alongside yourself | 3 |
G3880-13 |
παρέλαβε | parelabe | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
took | he took alongside | he took alongside | 2 |
G3880-07 |
παραλαμβάνεται | paralambanetai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
will be taken | is being taken alongside | is being received alongside | 2 |
G3880-14 |
παρέλαβεν | parelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
took | took alongside | he received alongside | 2 |
G3880-10 |
παραλημφθήσεται | paralemphthesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will be taken | will be taken alongside | will be taken | 2 |
G3880-05 |
παραλαβόντες | paralabontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having-received | having taken alongside | having received | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
50 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3880-02 |
Matthew 1:20 | παραλαβεῖν | paralabein | V AOR ACT INF |
to take | to take alongside | to take alongside |
G3880-14 |
Matthew 1:24 | παρέλαβεν | parelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
took | took alongside | he received alongside |
G3880-01 |
Matthew 2:13 | παράλαβε | paralabe | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
take | Take alongside yourself | Receive alongside yourself |
G3880-13 |
Matthew 2:14 | παρέλαβε | parelabe | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
took | he took alongside | he took alongside |
G3880-01 |
Matthew 2:20 | παράλαβε | paralabe | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
take | Take alongside yourself | Receive alongside yourself |
G3880-13 |
Matthew 2:21 | παρέλαβε | parelabe | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
took | he took alongside | he took alongside |
G3880-06 |
Matthew 4:5 | παραλαμβάνει | paralambanei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
takes | he/she takes alongside | he takes alongside |
G3880-06 |
Matthew 4:8 | παραλαμβάνει | paralambanei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
takes | he/she takes alongside | he takes alongside |
G3880-06 |
Matthew 12:45 | παραλαμβάνει | paralambanei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
takes along | he/she takes alongside | he takes alongside |
G3880-06 |
Matthew 17:1 | παραλαμβάνει | paralambanei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
takes | he/she takes alongside | he/she receives alongside |