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ἀγκάλη

ankálē

G43 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A bent or curved part of the arm; primarily refers to the inside of the arm where it is bent (the crook of the arm, forearm, or embrace), but contextually may refer more broadly to 'the arm' as a place for holding or embracing, such as holding a child or an object close.

Semantic Range

crook of the arm, forearm, inside of the arm, embrace, arm as for holding or carrying, nurturing embrace

Root / Etymology

Derived from ἄγκαλος (ancient Greek for 'bend') or from a root related to 'to bend, to curve.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀγκάλη most frequently denotes 'the bend of the arm'—the space between the shoulder and the elbow—often used for cradling or carrying, especially in contexts of carrying children, infants, or objects (e.g., Plutarch, Euripides). In the Koine period, including the New Testament (e.g., Luke 2:28), it retains this nuance of 'embrace' or 'crook of the arm.' The lexical sense is more specific than the general word for 'arm' (βραχίων). While most English translations simply render it 'arm,' this flattens the semantic range and loses the connotation of nurture, embrace, or protection present in the Greek. No religious, ethnic, or special technical use is attached to the term in its attested sources; its meaning is grounded in physical and familial contexts. The etymological connection is with the notion of something bent or curved, and the word shares roots with similar Greek and Latin terms referring to curved objects or joints. The word is rare in the New Testament, and its primary usage is maintained from classical through Hellenistic literature, denoting physical embrace or support, especially in child-carrying or gentle handling.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (a bend, "ache"); an arm (as curved):--arm.

Root Family

ἀγκάλη (ankalē) — bend, curve, crook of the arm, embracing arm

Root ἀγκαλ- to bend, to curve

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G43-01 ἀγκάλας agkalas N ACC F PL arms curved arms arms 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G43-01 Luke 2:28 ἀγκάλας agkalas N ACC F PL arms curved arms arms
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