Lexical Summary antilambanó: To help, to support, to take hold of Original Word: ἀντιλαμβάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance help, partake, support. From anti and the middle voice of lambano; to take hold of in turn, i.e. Succor; also to participate -- help, partaker, support. see GREEK anti see GREEK lambano HELPS Word-studies 482 antilambánomai (from 473 /antí, "corresponding to" and 2983 /lambánō, "to take hold of with initiative") – properly, aggressively take hold of in a proportional (fitting) way, i.e. that "matches" (offsets, corresponds to) the need of the situation (note the prefix, anti). This refers to providing (receiving) support that directly corresponds to the real need. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anti and lambanó Definition to take instead of, take hold of NASB Translation given help (1), help (1), partake (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 482: ἀντιλαμβάνωἀντιλαμβάνω: middle (present ἀντιλαμβάνομαι); 2 aorist ἀντελαβόμην; to take in turn or in return, to receive one thing for another given, to receive instead of; in middle, frequent in Attic prose writings, 1. to lay hold of, hold fast to, anything: τίνος. 2. to take a person or thing in order as it were to be held, to take to, embrace; with a genitive of the person, to help, succor: Luke 1:54; Acts 20:35 (Diodorus 11, 13; Dio Cassius, 40, 27; 46, 45; often in the Sept.) with a genitive of the thing, to be a partaker, partake of: τῆς εὐεργεσίας of the benefit of the services rendered by the slaves, 1 Timothy 6:2; cf. De Wette at the passage (μήτε ἐσθίων πλειόνων ἡδονῶν ἀντιλήψεται, Porphyry, de abstin. 1, 46; (cf. Eusebius, h. e. 4, 15, 37 and examples in Field, Otium Norv. pars. iii. at the passage cited)) (Compare: συναντιλαμβάνομαι.) The verb ἀντιλαμβάνομαι appears three times in the New Testament (Luke 1:54; Acts 20:35; 1 Timothy 6:2), conveying the idea of taking hold to give practical aid, support, or benefit. Its usages trace a movement from divine initiative to human imitation, forming a biblical theology of covenantal help. Old Testament Resonance In the Septuagint the cognate term describes the Lord “upholding” (Psalms 18:35; 63:8) and “supporting” (Psalms 119:173) His people. Luke’s use in the Magnificat deliberately recalls this covenant imagery, rooting New Testament help in God’s historic faithfulness. Covenantal Help: Luke 1:54 “He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful”. Mary interprets the incarnation as God’s decisive act of grasping and lifting His covenant people. Divine help is thus not abstract sympathy but tangible, redemptive intervention. Diaconal Pattern: Acts 20:35 “In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak”. Paul urges elders to translate their labor into resources for the vulnerable, grounding Christian benevolence in Jesus’ own words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The church’s mercy work flows directly from the Father’s character. Reciprocal Benefit: 1 Timothy 6:2 Bondservants are to serve faithfully “because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved”. Here the verb highlights mutuality inside household structures: economic roles are transformed by gospel love, and social boundaries cannot nullify brotherhood. Theological Themes • Divine Initiative precedes human response; God’s help empowers believers to help others. Ministry Implications • Mercy ministries embody Luke 1:54 by making God’s remembrance visible today. Historical Reception Fathers such as Irenaeus described the Incarnation as God “laying hold” of humanity. Chrysostom exhorted congregations from Acts 20:35 to create “a common treasury for the distressed.” Reformers kept the motif alive in catechetical teaching on daily bread and mutual aid. Contemporary Application Modern believers express antílambanomai by sustaining refugees, supporting crisis-pregnancy centers, sponsoring relief work, and offering skilled volunteerism. Each act proclaims that the God who once “helped His servant Israel” still helps through His servants today. Summary Strong’s 482 threads a single story: God grasps and lifts His people; His people grasp and lift one another. Divine mercy received becomes mercy extended, fulfilling Scripture’s consistent vision of covenantal, redemptive help. Englishman's Concordance Luke 1:54 V-AIM-3SGRK: ἀντελάβετο Ἰσραὴλ παιδὸς NAS: He has given help to Israel KJV: He hath holpen his servant INT: He helped Israel servant Acts 20:35 V-PNM/P 1 Timothy 6:2 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 482 |
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