Understanding ἀναδέχομαι (anadechomai) Strong’s G324: The Beautiful Art of Sacred Hospitality and Heartfelt Welcome

Pronunciation Guide: an-ad-EK-om-ahee

Basic Definition

Strong’s G324: ἀναδέχομαι (anadechomai) describes the act of receiving or welcoming someone with genuine warmth and hospitality, often implying taking responsibility for their care and comfort. It carries the nuance of deliberately choosing to extend welcome and acceptance, taking up the duty of hosting with joy and sacred purpose. The word beautifully captures both the physical act of receiving guests and the heart attitude of embracing them as valued persons.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀνά (up, again) + δέχομαι (to receive, accept)
• Deponent middle/passive verb in form but active in meaning
• Primary usage in narrative contexts describing hospitality scenarios
• Found in both classical and Koine Greek literature
• Common in historical narratives and epistolary literature

ἀναδέχομαι Morphology:

• ἀναδέχομαι (present indicative) – I receive/welcome
• ἀνεδέξατο (aorist indicative) – he/she received/welcomed
• ἀναδεξάμενος (aorist participle) – having received/welcomed
• ἀναδέχεσθαι (present infinitive) – to receive/welcome

Origin & History

The word ἀναδέχομαι has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it was used to describe both formal and informal acts of reception and hospitality. Xenophon employs it in his “Anabasis” (4.8.23) to describe the welcoming of military allies, highlighting its connotation of formal reception with honor. In the Septuagint, it appears in 2 Maccabees 6:19 where Eleazar “welcomed” (ἀνεδέξατο) death rather than compromise his principles, showing the word’s extension into metaphorical reception.

The compound structure with ἀνά intensifies the basic meaning of δέχομαι, suggesting a deliberate and thorough welcome. Early church fathers like John Chrysostom in his “Homilies on Acts” emphasized this intensification, noting how it implies not just passive acceptance but active engagement with those being received.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To receive or welcome someone with warmth and hospitality
• To take up responsibility for someone’s care and comfort
• To accept or undertake a duty or obligation willingly
• To embrace or acknowledge someone or something formally

ἀναδέχομαι Translation Options:

• “Welcome warmly” – emphasizes the heartfelt nature of the reception
• “Receive hospitably” – highlights the hospitality aspect
• “Take responsibility for” – focuses on the undertaking of care
• “Embrace fully” – captures both physical and emotional aspects of reception

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀναδέχομαι appears most notably in Acts 28:7, where Publius “welcomed” Paul and his companions after their shipwreck on Malta. This usage exemplifies the word’s connection to hospitality and care, as Publius not only provided lodging but also took responsibility for their well-being during their stay.

The word carries special significance in biblical hospitality contexts, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern value of receiving strangers as sacred duty. It aligns with the biblical mandate of hospitality found throughout Scripture, from Abraham’s reception of the three visitors to the New Testament’s emphasis on Christian hospitality.

• “In that region there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received [ἀναδεξάμενος] us and entertained us hospitably for three days.” Acts 28:7

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, hospitality was not merely a social courtesy but a sacred obligation. The practice of ἀναδέχομαι went beyond simple reception – it involved a formal commitment to protect and provide for guests, treating them as though they were family members under one’s roof. This understanding illuminates why Luke specifically chose this word to describe Publius’s actions, as it conveyed both the formal and sacred nature of his hospitality.

The concept also connects to the Hebrew principle of הכנסת אורחים (hachnasat orchim), the mitzvah of welcoming guests, which was considered one of the most important expressions of loving-kindness (chesed). This cultural background helps explain why the early believers placed such emphasis on hospitality as a concrete expression of their faith.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀναδέχομαι in Scripture reflects the character of God Himself, Who receives all who come to Him through the Messiah. Just as Publius received Paul and his companions with full commitment to their care, so God receives believers into His family with complete provision for their spiritual and eternal well-being. This reception is not passive but active, not tentative but complete.

This theological principle finds its ultimate expression in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, Who “receives” sinners (Luke 15:2) and welcomes them into God’s family. The divine pattern of reception and welcome becomes the model for believers’ practice of hospitality, transforming it from a mere social custom into a sacred reflection of God’s character.

Personal Application

When we understand ἀναδέχομαι, we’re challenged to examine our own practice of hospitality. Are we merely being polite hosts, or are we fully receiving others as God has received us? This word calls us to move beyond superficial welcome to genuine, committed care for others – whether they’re fellow believers, strangers, or even those who might be considered enemies.

This understanding should transform our approach to church fellowship, neighborhood relationships, and even family dynamics. It calls us to practice a hospitality that reflects God’s character – one that is active, intentional, and freely given.

Related Words

• φιλοξενία (philoxenia) – love of strangers, hospitality – captures the love aspect of receiving others See G5381
• δέχομαι (dechomai) – to receive, accept – the root word without the intensifying prefix See G1209
• ὑποδέχομαι (hupodechomai) – to receive under one’s roof, entertain – emphasizes the physical aspect of hospitality See G5264
• προσλαμβάνω (proslambano) – to take to oneself, accept – focuses on personal acceptance See G4355

Did you Know?

• The practice of ἀναδέχομαι in ancient Mediterranean culture often included a formal ceremony of reception, where the host would publicly declare their commitment to protect and provide for their guests.
• In modern Greek, derivatives of ἀναδέχομαι are still used in the context of becoming a godparent (ανάδοχος), reflecting the word’s connection to taking responsibility for another’s welfare.
• Archaeological evidence from ancient Mediterranean inns and homes often includes symbols of welcome and protection, showing how deeply ingrained the concept of sacred hospitality was in daily life.

Remember This

ἀναδέχομαι represents not just an act of welcome, but a sacred commitment to receive others as God has received us – fully, actively, and with genuine care for their well-being.

Part of speech: Deponent Middle/Passive Verb (used actively)