Lexical Summary haptó: To touch, to take hold of, to fasten Original Word: ἅπτω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance kindle, light. A primary verb; properly, to fasten to, i.e. (specially) to set on fire -- kindle, light. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root haph- Definition to fasten to, lay hold of NASB Translation clinging (1), handle (1), kindled (1), light (1), lighting (2), touch (13), touched (19), touching (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 681: ἅπτωἅπτω; 1 aorist participle ἅψας; (cf. Latinapto, German heften); (from Homer down); 1. properly, to fasten to, make adhere to; hence, specifically to fasten fire to a thing, to kindle, set on fire, (often so in Attic): λύχνον, Luke 8:16; Luke 11:33; Luke 15:8 (Aristophanes nub. 57; Theophrastus, char. 20 (18); Josephus, Antiquities 4, 3, 4); πῦρ, Luke 22:55 (T Tr text WH περιαψάντων); πυράν, Acts 28:2 L T Tr WH. 2. Middle (present ά῾πτομαι); imperfect ἡπτομην (Mark 6:56 R G Tr marginal reading); 1 aorist ἡψάμην; in the Sept. generally for נָגַע , הִגִּיעַ ; properly, to fasten oneself to, adhere to, cling to (Homer, Iliad 8. 67); a. to touch, followed by the object in genitive (Winers Grammar, § 30, 8 c.; Buttmann, 167 (146); cf. Donaldson, p. 483): Matthew 8:3; Mark 3:10; Mark 7:33; Mark 8:22, etc.; Luke 18:15; Luke 22:51 — very often in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In John 20:17, μή μου ἅπτου is to be explained thus: Do not handle me to see whether I am still clothed with a body; there is no need of such an examination, for not yet etc.; cf. Baumg.-Crusius and Meyer at the passage (as given by Hackett in Bib. Sacr. for 1868, p. 779f, or B. D. American edition, p. 1813f). b. γυναικός, of carnal intercourse with a woman, or cohabitation, 1 Corinthians 7:1, like the Latintangere, Horace sat. 1, 2, 54: Terence, Heaut. 4, 4, 15, and the Hebrew נָגַע , Genesis 20:6; Proverbs 6:29 (Plato, de legg. viii. 840 a.; Plutarch, Alex. Magn c. 21). c. with allusion to the levitical precept ἀκαθάρτου μή ἅπτεσθε, have no contact with the Gentiles, no fellowship in their heathenish practices, 2 Corinthians 6:17 (from Isaiah 52:11); and in the Jewish sense, μή ἅψῃ, Colossians 2:21 (the things not to be touched appear to be both women and certain kinds of food, so that, celibacy and abstinence from various kinds of food and drink are recommended; cf. DeWette at the passage (but also Meyer and Lightfoot; on the distinction between the stronger term ἅπτεσθαι (to handle?) and the more delicate θιγεῖν (to touch?) cf. the two commentators just named and Trench, § xvii. In classic Greek also ἅπτεσθαι is the stronger term, denoting often to lay hold of, hold fast, appropriate; in its carnal reference differing from θιγγάνειν by suggesting unlawfulness. θιγγάνειν, is used of touching by the hand as a means of knowledge, handling for a purpose; ψηλαφαν signifies to feel around with the fingers or hands, especially in searching for something, often to grope, fumble, cf. ψηλαφινδα blindman's buff. Schmidt, chapter 10.)). d. to touch i. e. assail: τίνος, anyone, 1 John 5:18 (1 Chronicles 16:22, etc.). (Compare: ἀνάπτω, καθάπτω, περιάπτω.) Topical Lexicon Background and Meaning Strong’s Greek 681 expresses the simple, everyday act of setting something aflame—kindling a lamp or a fire. In Scripture this action is never presented as inconsequential; it is consistently tied to themes of illumination, revelation, hospitality, and watchful readiness. Occurrences in Scripture • Luke 8:16 – “No one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.” Symbolic and Theological Themes 1. Revelation and Witness: Lighting a lamp is a metaphor for making truth visible (Luke 8:16; 11:33). One ignites the lamp so revelation may reach others; hiding it contradicts the purpose of the act. Historical and Cultural Background First-century homes relied on small clay oil lamps. Lighting such a lamp at dusk was a domestic necessity and a symbol of welcome. Public fires, meanwhile, were common gathering places for warmth and conversation. In both settings, to light (681) marked a beginning—of evening activity, of searching, of fellowship. Ministry Applications • Preaching and Teaching: The verb urges believers to initiate clarity. Truth hidden is truth denied. Every message should be an intentional “lighting” that dispels darkness. Homiletical Insights 1. “Light It, Do Not Hide It” – a sermon from Luke 8:16; 11:33 focusing on the visible witness of believers. Conclusion Whenever Strong’s 681 appears, a decisive moment begins: a lamp is lit, a search is launched, a witness is given, a heart is tried, or mercy is shown. The verb invites every believer to strike the match of gospel light and hold it high until Christ, the true Light, is seen. Forms and Transliterations απτει ἅπτει άπυρον αψαντες ἅψαντες αψας ἅψας περιαψαντων περιαψάντων apsantes apsas aptei hapsantes hápsantes hapsas hápsas haptei háptei periapsanton periapsantōn periapsánton periapsántōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 8:16 V-APA-NMSGRK: δὲ λύχνον ἅψας καλύπτει αὐτὸν NAS: no one after lighting a lamp KJV: No man, when he hath lighted a candle, INT: moreover a lamp having lighted covers it Luke 11:33 V-APA-NMS Luke 15:8 V-PIA-3S Luke 22:55 V-APA-GMP Acts 28:2 V-APA-NMP Strong's Greek 681 |
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