Brief Overview of ἀσπάζομαι (G782: aspazomai)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: aspazomai

Root Words: The term ἀσπάζομαι (aspazomai) is derived from the root ἀσπάζομαι (aspazomai), which means “to greet” or “to embrace.”

Primary Meanings:

• To Greet: To give a warm or friendly welcome to someone.
• To Embrace: To greet someone with a physical embrace or hug.
• To Bid Farewell: To express parting words or a farewell.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἀσπάζομαι as “to greet,” especially in a friendly or affectionate manner. It includes the act of embracing someone or expressing goodwill. The lexicon also notes its use in the context of formal greetings and farewells.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀσπάζομαι as “to greet” or “salute,” indicating a gesture of goodwill or respect, often including physical contact such as an embrace.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary describes ἀσπάζομαι as “to greet” or “to embrace,” emphasizing its use in both casual and formal contexts to convey friendliness or respect.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἀσπάζομαι as “to greet” or “to embrace,” used both in the context of welcoming someone or bidding them farewell.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀσπάζομαι as “to greet” or “salute,” focusing on the act of expressing goodwill or respect towards someone.

Bible Verses:

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• Luke 10:4 (KJV): “Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.”
• The term salute here translates from ἀσπάζομαι, referring to the act of greeting or acknowledging someone.
• Romans 16:16 (KJV): “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.”
• Salute here is translated from ἀσπάζομαι, indicating a formal or affectionate greeting.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: The term ἀσπάζομαι is used in discussions about social customs and interactions, referring to the act of greeting or embracing in a social context.
• Plato’s Phaedrus: The term appears in dialogues describing social and philosophical interactions, including the greeting or embracing of interlocutors.
• Homer’s Iliad: The term is used to describe formal greetings and farewells among characters, emphasizing the importance of respectful and affectionate interactions.

4. Summary:

ἀσπάζομαι (G782: aspazomai) means “to greet” or “to embrace,” encompassing acts of friendly or formal interaction, including both verbal and physical expressions. Its use in biblical and classical Greek literature highlights the cultural significance of greetings and farewells in social interactions. Understanding ἀσπάζομαι provides insight into the expressions of goodwill and respect in various contexts.