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προσλαμβάνω

proslambánō

G4355 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To take to oneself, to bring or accept someone or something into one's presence, group, company, or care. The verb can indicate the act of receiving another person into one's personal or social circle (including hospitality or association), taking up or accepting food or sustenance, or more broadly, admitting or taking in an object, responsibility, or idea. In some contexts, it denotes extending welcome or support to others (including reconciliation or fostering inclusion), while in others, it may refer to physically taking someone aside or leading along with oneself.

Semantic Range

to take to oneself, to receive as a member or guest, to accept into companionship, to take food, to assume responsibility for, to physically lead or bring aside, to welcome into a group or fellowship

Root / Etymology

From the preposition πρός (towards, to) and the verb λαμβάνω (to take, to receive). The compound emphasizes the act of taking (λαμβάνω) specifically to oneself or towards oneself (πρός). No external or Semitic etymology is involved.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, προσλαμβάνω is rarely attested, but in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, particularly in the New Testament and Septuagint, it acquires a range of social and interpersonal connotations. The verb is used for accepting individuals into a community, group, or fellowship (Romans 14:1, 15:7), as well as for assuming responsibility or offering welcome. In some narratives, it means to lead or physically take someone alongside (as in Acts 17:5, seizing or leading someone away). Septuagintal usage includes 'taking' food (Genesis 43:34—distribution and acceptance of food). English translations as 'receive' or 'take unto' sometimes obscure the social dimension in first-century Mediterranean contexts, particularly the boundary-marking involved in welcoming someone into a group or household. The verb may stand in contrast with ἀποδέχομαι ('to accept') and δέχομαι ('to receive'), with προσλαμβάνω stressing the initiative of drawing in towards oneself or one's circle. The reception may involve reconciliation or inclusion of those formerly estranged.

Translation Consistency

primary "take" 11 occurrences

The primary sense of προσλαμβάνω is to bring or accept someone/something into one’s presence, care, or company — literally to ‘take to oneself.’ ‘Take’ is a natural, flexible English verb that covers physical leading, receiving or admitting, and taking food or responsibility, and matches the most common renderings (e.g. ‘took’).

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"receive to yourself" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρός and λαμβάνω; to take to oneself, i.e. use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality):--receive, take (unto).

Root Family

προσλαμβάνω (proslambanō) — to take, to receive, to welcome

Root λαμβανω, προσ- to take, to receive, to welcome

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4355-02 προσελάβοντο proselabonto V AOR MID IND 3P PL took they took to themselves they took to themselves 3
G4355-01 προσελάβετο proselabeto V AOR MID IND 3P SG has received he took to himself he took to himself 2
G4355-04 προσλαβόμενος proslabomenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG taking aside having taken to himself having taken aside 2
G4355-06 προσλαμβάνεσθε proslambanesthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL accept welcome to yourselves take to yourselves 2
G4355-03 προσλαβόμενοι proslabomenoi V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL having taken having taken to themselves having taken to themselves 2
G4355-05 προσλαβοῦ proslabou V AOR MID IMP 2P SG receive receive to yourself receive to yourself 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4355-04 Matthew 16:22 προσλαβόμενος proslabomenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG taking-him-aside having taken to himself having taken aside
G4355-04 Mark 8:32 προσλαβόμενος proslabomenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG taking aside having taken to himself having taken aside
G4355-03 Acts 17:5 προσλαβόμενοι proslabomenoi V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL taking along having taken to themselves having taken to themselves
G4355-02 Acts 18:26 προσελάβοντο proselabonto V AOR MID IND 3P PL took they took to themselves they took to themselves
G4355-03 Acts 27:33 προσλαβόμενοι proslabomenoi V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL having taken having taken to themselves having taken
G4355-02 Acts 27:36 προσελάβοντο proselabonto V AOR MID IND 3P PL took they took to themselves they took to themselves
G4355-02 Acts 28:2 προσελάβοντο proselabonto V AOR MID IND 3P PL welcomed they took to themselves they took to themselves
G4355-06 Romans 14:1 προσλαμβάνεσθε proslambanesthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL receive welcome to yourselves take to yourselves
G4355-01 Romans 14:3 προσελάβετο proselabeto V AOR MID IND 3P SG has received he took to himself he took to himself
G4355-06 Romans 15:7 προσλαμβάνεσθε proslambanesthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL accept welcome to yourselves take to yourselves
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