Lexical Summary agkalé: Arm, embrace, bosom Original Word: ἀγκάλη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance arm. From agkos (a bend, "ache"); an arm (as curved) -- arm. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom agkos (a bend) Definition the bent arm NASB Translation arms (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 43: ἀγκάληἀγκάλη, (ης, ἡ (ἀγκη, ἀγκάς (from the root ak to bend, curve, cf. Latinuncus,angulus, English angle, etc.; cf. Curtius, § 1; Vanicek, p. 2f)), the curve or inner angle of the arm: δέξασθαι εἰς τάς ἀγκάλας, Luke 2:28. The Greeks also said ἀγκάς λαβεῖν ἐν ἀγκάλαις περιφέρειν, etc., see ἐναγκαλίζομαι. ((From Aeschylus and Herodotus down.)) Topical Lexicon Literal picture of welcoming embraceThe solitary use of ἀγκάλας in the Greek New Testament (Luke 2:28) paints a vivid, homely scene: aged Simeon gathers the infant Jesus into the bent hollow of his arms—an action both protective and celebratory. In Greek thought the curved arm was the safest place for treasure or child; Luke presents it as the chosen resting-place for the incarnate Son of God at His first appearance in the Temple. Old Testament echoes of God’s arms Though the exact term is not found in the Hebrew Scriptures, the idea resonates with older covenant imagery. Moses likens the Lord to an eagle that “spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions” (Deuteronomy 32:11). The Psalmist prays, “Your right hand holds me fast” (Psalm 63:8). Isaiah assures the exiles, “He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart” (Isaiah 40:11). The arms of God signify strength that shelters, tenderness that comforts, and fidelity that will not let go—motifs now gathered up in Simeon’s gesture. Presentation of Jesus and fulfillment of expectation Luke 2:25-32 sets ἀγκάλας at the climactic moment of Israel’s long wait. The righteous elder, moved by the Holy Spirit, holds the Messiah and blesses God: “My eyes have seen Your salvation” (Luke 2:30). The embrace becomes a bridge between covenants, where personal devotion (Simeon) meets prophetic fulfillment (the Coming One). The Temple, once filled with sacrifices, now hosts the Lamb whom an obedient servant physically cradles. Related New Testament imagery The cognate verb ἐναγκαλίζομαι (Mark 9:36; 10:16; Acts 20:10) extends the picture. Jesus draws children to Himself and Paul clutches Eutychus after resurrection; every instance conveys acceptance, blessing, or life-giving power. These parallels suggest that Luke’s noun is no mere narrative detail but part of a wider vocabulary of divine welcome. Theological reflections 1. Incarnation embraced. God places His eternal Word into human arms, validating bodily existence and family bonds. Pastoral applications • Worship: Like Simeon, the Church gathers Christ in Word and sacrament, blessing God for completed redemption. In ἀγκάλας Luke compresses centuries of longing into a single cradle; those same arms invite the world to receive the Savior with the same reverent joy. Forms and Transliterations αγκάλαις αγκαλας αγκάλας ἀγκάλας αγκαλίδα αγκαλών ankalas ankálasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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