In the biblical context, the term "embrace" carries both literal and metaphorical meanings, often symbolizing love, acceptance, reconciliation, and unity. The act of embracing is depicted in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both human relationships and divine interactions.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word often translated as "embrace" is "חָבַק" (chabaq), which appears in several key passages. One notable instance is found in the account of Jacob and Esau. After years of estrangement, the two brothers meet, and Esau runs to embrace Jacob, signifying forgiveness and reconciliation (Genesis 33:4: "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.") This embrace marks a pivotal moment of healing and restored relationship.

In the poetic literature, the Song of Solomon uses the imagery of embrace to describe the intimate love between the bride and the bridegroom, symbolizing the deep affection and unity that characterizes marital love (Song of Solomon 2:6: "His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.") This portrayal extends beyond the literal to represent the ideal of love and commitment.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek word "ἀσπάζομαι" (aspazomai) is often used in the context of greeting with a holy kiss, which can include an embrace. The Apostle Paul frequently encourages believers to greet one another with a holy kiss, a practice that signifies fellowship, unity, and mutual acceptance within the body of Christ (Romans 16:16: "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.") This act of embracing fellow believers serves as a tangible expression of the love and unity that should characterize the Christian community.

The parable of the Prodigal Son provides a profound illustration of embrace as a symbol of forgiveness and restoration. When the wayward son returns home, his father runs to him and embraces him, demonstrating unconditional love and acceptance (Luke 15:20: "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.") This embrace reflects the heart of God towards repentant sinners, emphasizing grace and reconciliation.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of embrace in the Bible underscores the themes of reconciliation and unity. It reflects God's desire to restore broken relationships, both among humans and between humanity and Himself. The embrace is a powerful symbol of the Gospel message, where through Christ, believers are reconciled to God and to one another.

In Christian practice, the embrace serves as a reminder of the call to love and accept others, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to live in unity as members of the body of Christ. It challenges believers to embody the love of Christ in their interactions, fostering a community marked by grace and peace.1. (v. t.) To fasten on, as armor.

2. (n.) To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

3. (n.) To cling to; to cherish; to love.

4. (n.) To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.

5. (n.) To encircle; to encompass; to enclose.

6. (n.) To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in; as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.

7. (n.) To accept; to undergo; to submit to.

8. (n.) To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court.

9. (v. i.) To join in an embrace.

10. (n.) Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug.

EMBRACE

em-bras': The word has two distinct meanings in the Old Testament:

(1) to clasp and hold fondly in the arms, pointing to a common custom (Genesis 29:13; Genesis 33:4; Genesis 48:10 2 Kings 4:16 Songs 2:6; Songs 8:3 compare Acts 20:10), and

(2) to have sexual intercourse (Proverbs 4:8; Proverbs 5:20 Ecclesiastes 3:5). It seems to have acquired this technical sense in later Jewish usage.

4843. sumperilambano -- to enclose, embrace
... to enclose, embrace. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumperilambano Phonetic
Spelling: (soom-per-ee-lam-ban'-o) Short Definition: I embrace completely ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4843.htm - 6k

1723. enagkalizomai -- to take into one's arms, to embrace
... to take into one's arms, to embrace. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
enagkalizomai Phonetic Spelling: (en-ang-kal-id'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I take ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1723.htm - 6k

782. aspazomai -- to welcome, greet
... sends...greetings (4), taken...leave (1), welcomed (1). embrace, greet,
salute, take leave. From a (as a particle of union) and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/782.htm - 7k

588. apodechomai -- to accept gladly, welcome
... Phonetic Spelling: (ap-od-ekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I receive, welcome, entertain
Definition: I receive, welcome, entertain (with hospitality), embrace. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/588.htm - 7k

1968. epipipto -- to fall upon
... From epi and pipto; to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence;
literally or figuratively) -- fall into (on, upon) lie on, press upon. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1968.htm - 6k

2570. kalos -- beautiful, good
... 2570 -- ; () others to embrace what is lovely (beautiful, praiseworthy);
ie done so as to be winsome (appealing). Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2570.htm - 7k

4375. prosphiles -- pleasing, agreeable
... toward" and 5368 , "affectionate caring") -- properly, worthy of personal affection;
hence, dearly prized, ie worth the effort to have and embrace (used only ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4375.htm - 7k

4788. sugkleio -- to shut together, ie enclose
... enclose, shut up. From sun and kleio; to shut together, ie Include or (figuratively)
embrace in a common subjection to -- conclude, inclose, shut up. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4788.htm - 6k

2263. chabaq -- to clasp, embrace
... 2262, 2263. chabaq. 2264 . to clasp, embrace. Transliteration: chabaq Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-bak') Short Definition: embrace. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2263.htm - 6k

2265. Chabaqquq -- a Hebrew prophet
... prophet NASB Word Usage Habakkuk (2). Habakkuk. By reduplication from chabaq; embrace;
Chabakkuk, the prophet -- Habakkuk. see HEBREW chabaq. 2264, 2265. ...
/hebrew/2265.htm - 6k

To Embrace the Gospel is to Enter with all Our Hearts into Its ...
... [Way-1-19] To embrace the gospel is to enter with all our hearts into
its terms of? To embrace the gospel is to enter with all ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-19 to embrace the gospel.htm

How to Embrace the System of True Knowledge.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter X. How to embrace the system of
true knowledge. You must then, if you want to get at the ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter x how to embrace.htm

Probably those who Embrace the views of Celsus Will Smile at us ...
... Chapter LIX. Probably those who embrace the views of Celsus will smile
at us when we say? Probably those who embrace the views ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lix probably those who.htm

The Burgundians Embrace Christianity under Theodosius the Younger.
... Book VII. Chapter XXX."The Burgundians embrace Christianity under Theodosius
the Younger. I must now relate an event well worthy ...
/.../chapter xxx the burgundians embrace christianity.htm

His Left Hand is under My Head, and his Right Hand Shall Embrace ...
... CHAPTER II. 6. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace
me. She begins to understand the mystery, and, repenting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 his left hand is.htm

His Left Hand Should be under My Head, and his Right Hand Should ...
... CHAPTER VIII. 3. His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand
should embrace me. As we have before said, God has two ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/3 his left hand should.htm

At this Time He Received a Letter from Pope Boniface Exhorting Him ...
... BOOK II CHAP. X. AT this time he received a letter from Pope Boniface
exhorting him to embrace the? AT this time he received a ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap x at this time.htm

Truth and Reality Pertain to Christians Alone the Heathen ...
... Book I. Chapter XX."Truth and Reality Pertain to Christians Alone The Heathen
Counselled to Examine and Embrace It. How long therefore ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xx truth and reality pertain.htm

The Saracens, under Mavia their Queen, Embrace Christianity; and ...
... Book IV. Chapter XXXVI."The Saracens, under Mavia their Queen, embrace Christianity;
and Moses, a Pious Monk, is consecrated their Bishop. ...
/.../chapter xxxvi the saracens under mavia.htm

Many of the Jews in Crete Embrace the Christian Faith.
... Book VII. Chapter XXXVIII."Many of the Jews in Crete embrace the Christian
Faith. About this period a great number of Jews who ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xxxviii many of the jews.htm

Embrace (11 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court. 9. (vi) To join
in an embrace. 10. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EMBRACE. ...
/e/embrace.htm - 11k

Embraced (19 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Embrace. Multi-Version Concordance ... (YLT). Song of Songs 2:6 Let his
left hand be under my head, and his right hand embrace me. (See RSV). ...
/e/embraced.htm - 11k

Habakkuk (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Embrace, the eighth of the twelve minor prophets.
Of his personal history we have no reliable information. ...
/h/habakkuk.htm - 26k

Clip (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To embrace, hence; to encompass. ... 4. (vi) To move
swiftly; -- usually with indefinite it. 5. (n.) An embrace. ...
/c/clip.htm - 7k

Fold (23 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To enclose within folds or plaitings; to envelop; to enfold; to
clasp; to embrace. 4. (vt) To cover or wrap up; to conceal. ...
/f/fold.htm - 17k

Clasp (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To enclose and hold in the hand or with the arms; to grasp; to embrace.
3. (vt) To surround and cling to; to entwine about. ...
/c/clasp.htm - 7k

Embracing (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Embrace. Multi-Version
Concordance Embracing (4 Occurrences). Acts 20:10 Paul went ...
/e/embracing.htm - 7k

Bosom (47 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Embrace; loving or affectionate enclosure; fold. ... Why embrace the bosom
of another? (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/bosom.htm - 26k

Hug (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vi) To cower; to crouch; to curl up. 2. (vi) To crowd together; to cuddle. 3.
(vt) To press closely within the arms; to clasp to the bosom; to embrace. ...
/h/hug.htm - 7k

Nurtured (3 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Lamentations 4:5 Those who did feed delicately are desolate in the streets:
Those who were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills. (See NIV). ...
/n/nurtured.htm - 7k

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