1723. enagkalizomai

Lexical Summary

enagkalizomai: To embrace, to take into one's arms

Original Word: ἐναγκαλίζομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: enagkalizomai
Pronunciation: en-ang-kal-ID-zom-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (en-ang-kal-id'-zom-ahee)
KJV: take up in arms
NASB: taking in his arms, took in his arms
Word Origin: [from G1722 (ἔν - among) and a derivative of G43 (ἀγκάλη - arms)]

1. to take in one's arms, i.e. embrace

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

embrace, hug

From en and a derivative of agkale; to take in one's arms, i.e. Embrace -- take up in arms.

see GREEK en

see GREEK agkale

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from en and agkalizomai (to embrace); from agkalé
Definition
to take into one's arms, to embrace
NASB Translation
taking...in his arms (1), took...in his arms (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1723: ἐναγκαλίζομαι

ἐναγκαλίζομαι: 1 aorist participle ἐναγκαλισάμενος; (middle equivalent to εἰς τάς ἀγκάλας δέχομαι, Luke 2:28); to take into the arms, embrace: τινα, Mark 9:36; Mark 10:16. (Proverbs 6:10; Proverbs 24:48 (); Meleager, in Anth. 7, 476, 10; Plutarch; Alciphron, epistles 2, 4; others.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 1723 depicts a distinctly tender action—drawing someone close to one’s chest with both arms. While the term appears only twice in the Greek New Testament, its two uses in the Gospel of Mark provide a window into the heart of Jesus Christ and into the kingdom values He taught.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Mark 9:36: “And He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them:”
2. Mark 10:16: “And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.”

Cultural and Historical Background

In first-century Jewish culture, children were valued as gifts of God yet possessed no social status; they were dependent and vulnerable. Publicly embracing a child was therefore an unmistakable gesture of welcome and dignity. The master-disciple relationship normally emphasized distance and deference, yet Jesus crossed that boundary, signaling that greatness in His kingdom is measured by humility and a servant spirit.

Theological and Pastoral Significance

1. Revelation of Divine Tenderness
• Jesus’ embrace fulfills prophetic images of God as shepherd and father (Isaiah 40:11; Hosea 11:1-4). By physically drawing children to Himself, Jesus incarnates divine compassion, assuring believers that the Almighty’s power is matched by personal gentleness.
2. Redefinition of Greatness
• In Mark 9, the disciples dispute over status. Jesus answers not with a lecture but with an embrace, teaching that kingdom greatness is found in receiving the lowly. The action illustrates the reversal theme that permeates the Gospels (Matthew 20:26-28).
3. Blessing Through Presence and Touch
• In Mark 10, the embrace precedes the laying on of hands and blessing. Here “arms” and “hands” work together: the arms draw near; the hands impart blessing. Ministry that mirrors Christ combines affectionate presence with spoken benediction.

Christological Implications

The verb underscores the incarnational aspect of Jesus’ ministry. His willingness to touch and hold children prefigures His ultimate act of taking humanity’s burden upon Himself at the cross (Isaiah 53:4). The episodes also foreshadow the universal invitation of the Gospel: those considered insignificant are welcomed without reservation (Galatians 3:28).

Applications for Ministry and Discipleship

• Child-Honoring Communities: Congregations should create environments where children are cherished, taught, and protected, mirroring Jesus’ embrace.
• Pastoral Care: Physical presence—when culturally appropriate—can communicate acceptance and comfort more powerfully than words alone.
• Leadership Formation: Christian leaders learn that true influence flows from humble, hands-on service rather than positional authority.

Related Biblical Themes

• Hospitality (Romans 15:7) – welcoming others as Christ welcomed us.
• Laying on of Hands (Acts 6:6; 2 Timothy 1:6) – conveying blessing and commissioning.
• Adoption (Romans 8:15) – believers brought into God’s family with full affection.

Summary

Though operationally rare in the New Testament, Strong’s Greek 1723 captures the warmth of the Savior who bends low to lift the least. His two recorded embraces establish a pattern for Christian life: humble welcome, tangible compassion, and open-armed blessing extended to all who come.

Forms and Transliterations

εναγκαλίζη εναγκαλίζομαι εναγκαλισαμενος εναγκαλισάμενος ἐναγκαλισάμενος enankalisamenos enankalisámenos

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 9:36 V-APM-NMS
GRK: αὐτῶν καὶ ἐναγκαλισάμενος αὐτὸ εἶπεν
NAS: him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said
KJV: him in his arms, he said
INT: of them and having taken in [his] arms it he said

Mark 10:16 V-APM-NMS
GRK: καὶ ἐναγκαλισάμενος αὐτὰ κατευλόγει
NAS: And He took them in His arms and [began] blessing
KJV: them up in his arms, put
INT: And having taken in [his] arms them he blessed them

Strong's Greek 1723
2 Occurrences

ἐναγκαλισάμενος — 2 Occ.