Lexical Summary lambanó: To take, receive, obtain Original Word: λαμβάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to take, receiveA prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas dechomai is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while haireomai is more violent, to seize or remove)) -- accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up). see GREEK dechomai see GREEK haireomai HELPS Word-studies 2983 lambánō (from the primitive root, lab-, meaning "actively lay hold of to take or receive," see NAS dictionary) – properly, to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered). 2983 /lambánō ("accept with initiative") emphasizes the volition (assertiveness) of the receiver. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root lab- Definition to take, receive NASB Translation accept (1), accepting (1), attempted* (1), bring (2), caught (1), caught caught (1), collect (1), collected (1), conferred* (2), conspired* (1), consulted* (1), experienced* (1), forgotten* (1), gets (1), gripped (1), incur (1), married (2), marry (2), obtained (1), occupy (1), overtaken (1), partial* (1), picked (2), receive (63), received (48), receives (14), receiving (6), seizes (1), shows (1), struck (1), take (24), taken (7), takes (3), taking (9), took (50). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2983: λαμβάνωλαμβάνω; imperfect ἐλάμβανον; future λήψομαι (L T Tr WH λήμψομαι, an Alexandrian form; see under the word Mu); 2 aorist ἔλαβον (2 person plural once (in Tdf. 7 after B*) ἐλαβατε, 1 John 2:27; see references under the word ἀπέρχομαι, at the beginning), imperative λαβέ (Revelation 10:8f), not λαβέ (Winers Grammar, § 6, 1 a.; Buttmann, 62 (54)); perfect εἴληφα, 2 person ἐοιληφας (and ἐιληφες (Revelation 11:17 WH; see κοπιάω); on the use of the perfect interchangeably with an aorist (Revelation 5:7; Revelation 8:5, etc.) cf. Buttmann, 197 (170); Winer's Grammar, 272 (255); Jebb in Vincent and Dickson's Modern Greek, 2nd edition, Appendix, §§ 67, 68), participle εἰληφώς; (passive, present participle λαμβανόμενος; perfect 3 person singular ἐιληπται, John 8:4 WH marginal reading (rejected section)); the Sept. hundreds of times for לָקַח, very often for נָשָׂא, also for לָכַד and several times for אָחַז; (from Homer down); I. to take, i. e.: 1. to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it: absolutely, where the context shows what is taken, Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; (τόν) ἄρτον, Matthew 26:26; Acts 27:35; τό βιβλίον, Revelation 5:7-9 (see Buttmann, and Winer's Grammar, as above); μαχαιρον (grasp, lay hand to), Matthew 26:52, and in many other examples After a circumstantial style of description (see ἀνίστημι, II. 1 c.) in use from Homer down (cf. Passow, under the word C.; (Liddell and Scott, under the word I. 11); Matthiae, § 558, Anm. 2; (Winer's Grammar, § 65, 4 c.)), the participle λαβών with the accusative of the object is placed before an active verb where it does not always seem to us necessary to mention the act of taking (as λαβών κυσε χεῖρα (cf. our 'he took and kissed'), Homer, Odyssey 24, 398): Matthew 13:31, 33; Matthew 17:27; Mark 9:36; Luke 13:19, 21; John 12:3; Acts 2:23 Rec.; 2. to take in order to carry away: without the notion of violence, τάς ἀσθενείας, i. e. to remove, take away, Matthew 8:17; with the notion of violence, to seize, take away forcibly: Matthew 5:40; Revelation 3:11; τήν εἰρήνην ἐκ (Rec. ἀπό (WH brackets ἐκ)) τῆς γῆς, Revelation 6:4. 3. to take what is one's own, to take to oneself, to make one's own; a. to claim, procure, for oneself: τί, John 3:27 (opposed to what is given); ἑαυτῷ βασιλείαν, Luke 19:12; with the accusative of the person to associate with one' s self as companion, attendant, etc.: λαβών τήν σπεῖραν ἔρχεται, taking with him the band of soldiers (whose aid he might use) he comes, John 18:3 (στρατόν λαβών ἔρχεται, Sophocles Trach. 259); λαμβάνειν γυανικα, to take i. e. marry a wife, Mark 12:19-22; Luke 20:28-31 (Genesis 4:19, etc.; Xenophon, Cyril 8, 4, 16; Bur. Alc. 324; with ἑαυτῷ added, Genesis 4:19; Genesis 6:2, and often). b. of that which when taken is not let go, like the Latincapio, equivalent to to seize, lay hold of, apprehend: τινα, Matthew 21:35, 39; Mark 12:3, 8, and very often in Greek writings from Homer down; tropically, τί, i. e. to get possession of, obtain, a thing, Philippians 3:12 (cf. Winers Grammar, 276 (259)); metaphorically, of affections or evils seizing on a man (Latincapio, occupo): τινα ἔλαβεν ἔκστασις, Luke 5:26; φόβος, Luke 7:16 (very often so even in Homer, as τρόμος ἐλλαβε γυια, Iliad 3, 34; με ἵμερος αἴρει, 3, 446; χόλος, 4, 23; the Sept. Exodus 15:15; Wis. 11:13 (12)); πνεῦμα (i. e., a demon), Luke 9:39; πειρασμός, 1 Corinthians 10:13. c. to take by craft (our catch, used of hunters, fishermen, etc.): οὐδέν, Luke 5:5; tropically, τινα, to circumvent one by fraud, 2 Corinthians 11:20; with δόλῳ added, 2 Corinthians 12:16. d. to take to oneself, lay hold upon, take possession of, i. e. to appropriate to oneself: ἑαυτῷ τήν τιμήν, Hebrews 5:4. e. Latincapto, catch at, reach after, strive to obtain: τί παρά τίνος (the genitive of person), John 5:34, 41; alternating with ζητεῖν, John 5:44. f. to take a thing due according to agreement or law, to collect, gather (tribute): τά δίδραχμα, Matthew 17:24; τέλη ἀπό τίνος, 25; δεκάτας, Hebrews 7:8f; καρπούς, Matthew 21:34; παρά τῶν γεωργῶν ἀπό τοῦ καρποῦ, Mark 12:2. 4. to take i. e. to admit, receive: τινα ῤαπίσμασιν, Mark 14:65 L T Tr WH (cf. Latinverberibus aliquem accipere), but see βάλλω, 1; τινα εἰς τά ἰδίᾳ, unto his own home (see ἴδιος, 1 b.), John 19:27; εἰς οἰκίαν, 2 John 1:10; εἰς τό πλοῖον, John 6:21. to receive what is offered; not to refuse or reject: τινα, one, in order to obey him, John 1:12; John 5:43; John 13:20; τί, properly, to receive, Matthew 27:6; tropically: τόν λόγον, to admit or receive into the mind, Matthew 13:20; Mark 4:16 (for which in Luke 8:13 δέχονται; τήν μαρτυρίαν, to believe the testimony, John 3:11, 32f; τά ῤήματα τίνος, John 12:48; John 17:8. In imitation of the Hebrew פָּנִים נָשָׂא (on the various senses of which in the O. T. cf. Gesenius, Thesaurus, ii., p. 915f), πρόσωπον λαμβάνω, to receive a person, give him access to oneself, i. e. to regard anyone's power, rank, external circumstances, and on that account to do some injustice or neglect something: used of partiality (A. V. to accept the person), Luke 20:21; with ἀνθρώπου added, Galatians 2:6 (Leviticus 19:15; Malachi 2:9, etc.; θαυμάζειν τό πρόσωπον, Deuteronomy 10:17; Job 32:22); (cf. Lightfoot on Galatians, the passage cited). 5. to take, equivalent to to choose, select: τινα ἐκ τινων, passive Hebrews 5:1. 6. To the signification to take may be referred that use, frequent in Greek authors also (cf. Passow, under the word, B. d. at the end; (Liddell and Scott, II. 3)), by which λαμβάνειν joined to a substantive forms a periphrasis of the verb whose idea is expressed by the substantive: λαμβάνειν ἀρχήν to take beginning, equivalent to ἄρχομαι to begin, Hebrews 2:3 (Polybius 1, 12, 9, and often; Aelian v. h. 2, 28; 12, 53, and in other authors); λήθην τίνος, to forget, 2 Peter 1:9 (Josephus, Antiquities 2, 6, 10; 9, 1; 4, 8, 44; Aelian v. h. 3, 18 under the end; h. anim. 4, 35); ὑπόμνησιν τίνος, to be reminded of a thing, 2 Timothy 1:5; περιαν τίνος, to prove anything, i. e. either to make trial of: ἧς namely, θαλάσσης, which they attempted to pass through, Hebrews 11:29; or to have trial of, to experience: also with the genitive of the thing, Hebrews 11:36 (in both senses often also in classical Greek; see πεῖρα, and Bleek, Br. a. d. Hebrews 2:2, p. 811); συμβούλιον λαμβάνειν, to take counsel, equivalent to συμβουλεύεσθαι, to deliberate (a combination in imitation apparently of the Latin phraseconsilium capere, although that signifies to form a plan, to resolve): Matthew 12:14; Matthew 22:15; Matthew 27:1, 7; Matthew 28:12; θάρσος, to take, receive, courage, Acts 28:15; τό χάραγμα τίνος, equivalent to χάρσσομαι τί, to receive the mark of, i. e. let oneself be marked or stamped with: Revelation 14:9, 11; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4. II. to receive (what is given); to gain, get, obtain: absolutely, opposed to αἰτεῖν, Matthew 7:8; Luke 11:10; John 16:24; opposed to διδόναι, Acts 20:35; Matthew 10:8; with the accusative of the thing, Matthew 20:9; Mark 10:30; (Luke 18:30 L text WH text Tr marginal reading); John 7:39; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:43; Romans 1:5; Romans 5:11; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 3:14; Hebrews 9:15; ( λαμβάνω appears 261 times across the New Testament, functioning in narrative, parable, prophecy and epistle alike. It is the ordinary verb for “receive,” “take,” or “lay hold of,” yet Scripture employs it to describe everything from taking bread into one’s hands to receiving eternal life. Because the word is equally at home in mundane action and redemptive history, its occurrences trace a theological arc from daily provision to final reward. Receiving Divine Revelation and Salvation The verb marks the human side of salvation: faith’s open hand. “But to all who did receive Him, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Paul echoes this gospel dynamic: “We have received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5). Receiving the implanted word (James 1:21) and the Spirit Himself (Romans 8:15; Galatians 3:2) grounds Christian identity. Conversely, failure to receive Christ incurs judgment (John 5:43). Christ’s Messianic Mission λαμβάνω underlines the voluntary nature of Christ’s work. “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again” (John 10:18). In the passion narrative the verb records both holy submission and human cruelty: Jesus “received” the vinegar (John 19:30) and the scourging (John 19:1), fulfilling prophecy (Matthew 8:17). Post-resurrection, He “took the scroll” that none other could open (Revelation 5:7–8), publicly demonstrating His worthiness to enact God’s redemptive plan. Liturgical and Sacramental Resonance In the institution of the Lord’s Supper the command rings clear: “Take, eat; this is My body” (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19). The repeated use of λαμβάνω embeds receptive faith at the heart of Christian worship. Believers do not create grace; they receive it, symbolized by the bread and cup taken from Christ’s hand. Miracles and Divine Provision The feeding miracles employ the verb for Jesus’ deliberate action: “Taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and blessed them” (Luke 9:16). The same word is used when the disciples “received” twelve baskets of leftovers (John 6:11). Thus λαμβάνω frames both the giving and the grateful reception of God’s material care. Apostolic Ministry and Charismatic Endowment Acts shifts the focus to power for witness: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8). Throughout the missionary narrative converts “receive the word” (Acts 2:41) and later “receive the Holy Spirit” through apostolic laying on of hands (Acts 8:17). Paul’s correspondence appeals to this shared experience: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7), guarding against pride. Spiritual gifts are stewarded as received trusts (1 Peter 4:10). Ethics of Giving and Taking λαμβάνω also warns against wrongful acquisition. The wicked tenants “took” the son and killed him (Matthew 21:39). Religious hypocrites “devour widows’ houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These will receive greater condemnation” (Mark 12:40). Civil authorities who “receive bribes” violate God’s justice (Acts 24:27). By contrast the generous believer “receives a prophet’s reward” when he welcomes God’s messengers (Matthew 10:41). Discipleship and Daily Obedience Jesus demands personal surrender: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:38). The present tense λαμβάνει stresses an ongoing lifestyle of self-denial. Prayer, too, is conditioned on expectant reception: “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Eschatological Reward and Judgment Future hope is expressed with λαμβάνω in both promise and warning. The righteous “will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12), “an inheritance that can never perish” (Matthew 19:29). Conversely, the beast-worshipers “receive a mark on their forehead or on their hand” (Revelation 14:9), sealing their doom. At the Great White Throne the dead “were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books” and each “received” according to his deeds (Revelation 20:4, 12). Corporate Identity and Hospitality The verb undergirds New Testament fellowship. The church at Rome is urged to “welcome Phoebe” (Romans 16:2, implied). John commends Gaius for “welcoming the brothers” (3 John 1:7–8). Receiving traveling teachers, bearing one another’s burdens, and sharing material gifts all reflect the gospel pattern of freely receiving and freely giving (Matthew 10:8). Historical and Devotional Trajectory Early Christian writers saw in λαμβάνω the synergy of divine grace and human response. Ignatius urges believers to “receive meekness,” while Chrysostom highlights the contrast between Judas “taking” silver and the disciples “receiving” the Spirit. Reformation preaching pointed to John 1:12 as the essence of faith: an empty hand receiving Christ. Contemporary ministry continues to echo this call—training believers to receive the Word, the Spirit, discipline, one another, and ultimately the imperishable reward. Key Theological Themes Summarized 1. Salvation is received, not earned (John 1:12; Romans 5:11). In every context λαμβάνω accents God’s initiative and the believer’s responsive faith, weaving a coherent testimony of grace received, stewarded, and finally perfected. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:40 V-ANAGRK: χιτῶνά σου λαβεῖν ἄφες αὐτῷ NAS: to sue you and take your shirt, KJV: at the law, and take away thy coat, INT: tunic of you take yield to him Matthew 7:8 V-PIA-3S Matthew 8:17 V-AIA-3S Matthew 10:8 V-AIA-2P Matthew 10:38 V-PIA-3S Matthew 10:41 V-FIM-3S Matthew 10:41 V-FIM-3S Matthew 12:14 V-AIA-3P Matthew 13:20 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 13:31 V-APA-NMS Matthew 13:33 V-APA-NFS Matthew 14:19 V-APA-NMS Matthew 15:26 V-ANA Matthew 15:36 V-AIA-3S Matthew 16:5 V-ANA Matthew 16:7 V-AIA-1P Matthew 16:9 V-AIA-2P Matthew 16:10 V-AIA-2P Matthew 17:24 V-PPA-NMP Matthew 17:25 V-PIA-3P Matthew 17:27 V-APA-NMS Matthew 19:29 V-FIM-3S Matthew 20:7 V-FIM-2P Matthew 20:9 V-AIA-3P Matthew 20:10 V-FIM-3P Strong's Greek 2983 |
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