Brief Overview of συλλαμβάνω (Strong’s G4815: sullambanō)

Strong’s G4815: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and λαμβάνω (to take), meaning “to seize, arrest, or conceive.” In biblical usage, it ranges from hostile arrest (particularly of Jesus and the apostles) to the divine miracle of conception, as with Elizabeth and Mary.

U – Unveiling the Word

Συλλαμβάνω carries significant theological weight in its dual usage in Scripture. As a compound word, it literally means “to take together” but develops specialized meanings in different contexts. In Matthew 26:55, it describes the hostile seizure of Jesus, while in Luke 1:24, it marks the miraculous divine interventions in the conceptions of both John the Baptist and Jesus. Early church fathers noted the profound irony that the same word describes both the arrest of the Messiah and His incarnation. Today, it reminds us of both the cost of discipleship and the miracle of divine intervention in human affairs.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συλλαμβάνω, sullambanō, /sool-lam-BAH-no/
• Pronunciation: sool-lam-BAH-no (stress on third syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with” or “together”
• λαμβάνω (lambanō): verb meaning “to take or receive”
• The combination intensifies the action of taking or grasping

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meanings:

1. To seize or arrest
2. To conceive (of pregnancy)
3. To take or catch
4. To help or assist (metaphorically)

For compound words:

• σύν (syn): indicates joint or complete action
• λαμβάνω (lambanō): conveys taking or receiving
  Together they express complete or forceful taking

Translation Options:

1. “Arrest/Seize” – For hostile contexts
2. “Conceive” – For pregnancy contexts
3. “Take hold of” – For neutral contexts

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κρατέω (krateō) /kra-TEH-oh/ – emphasizes power in seizing. See G2902
• πιάζω (piazō) /pee-AD-zo/ – focuses on catching or grasping. See G4084
• λαμβάνω (lambanō) /lam-BAH-no/ – basic word for taking. See G2983

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a verb:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Simple (Aorist), Completed (Perfect)

Examples:

• Present Active: συλλαμβάνω – I am seizing
• Aorist Active: συνέλαβον – I seized
• Perfect Active: συνείληφα – I have seized

Cross-references:

• Noun: σύλληψις (sullēpsis)
• Adjective: συλληπτικός (sullēptikos)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its range from hostile arrest to conception. Thayer’s notes both literal and figurative uses. LSJ provides extensive classical usage examples. Vine’s highlights its use in both arrest and conception narratives. Strong’s connects it to complete taking or seizing. LEH discusses its Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan show its legal and medical uses.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 26:55 “At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to [arrest] {συλλαμβάνω} me?'”

Additional References:
Luke 1:24
Luke 1:31
Luke 1:36
Luke 22:54
Acts 1:16
Acts 12:3
Acts 23:27
Acts 26:21

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συλλαμβάνω powerfully captures both the drama of arrest and the miracle of conception in the gospel narrative. It promotes the good news by showing how God’s plan unfolds through both suffering and supernatural intervention, from the Messiah’s incarnation to His sacrificial arrest, revealing divine purpose in both miraculous beginnings and apparent endings.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears in ancient medical texts describing conception.
2. It was commonly used in legal documents for arrests and detention.
3. Early Christian writers saw symbolic meaning in its dual use for arrest and conception.

Strong’s G4815: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and λαμβάνω (to take), meaning “to seize, arrest, or conceive.” In biblical usage, it ranges from hostile arrest (particularly of Jesus and the apostles) to the divine miracle of conception, as with Elizabeth and Mary.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: arrest, conception, seize, passion-narrative, incarnation, elizabeth, mary, persecution, divine-intervention, luke, acts, jesus-arrest, miraculous-conception​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​