Definition and Context
Embracing, in the biblical context, refers to the act of holding someone closely in one's arms, often as a sign of affection, acceptance, or reconciliation. It is both a physical and metaphorical expression found throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing love, unity, and the warmth of relationships. Embracing can also signify the acceptance of ideas, beliefs, or divine truths.

Old Testament References
In the Old Testament, embracing is often depicted in familial and relational contexts. One notable instance is found in the account of Jacob and Esau. After years of estrangement, Jacob fears Esau's wrath but is met with an unexpected gesture of reconciliation. Genesis 33:4 states, "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept." This embrace signifies forgiveness and the restoration of brotherly bonds.

The Song of Solomon also uses the imagery of embracing to depict romantic love. In Song of Solomon 2:6 , the beloved says, "His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me." This verse highlights the intimacy and affection between lovers, illustrating the beauty of marital love.

New Testament References
In the New Testament, embracing is seen in the context of Christian fellowship and the early church's communal life. Acts 20:37 describes the emotional farewell between Paul and the Ephesian elders: "They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him." This scene underscores the deep bonds of love and unity within the body of Christ, as well as the sorrow of parting from a beloved leader.

The parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 also features a powerful moment of embracing. When the wayward son returns home, his father runs to him, filled with compassion, and embraces him. Luke 15:20 states, "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 symbolizes forgiveness, acceptance, and the joy of reconciliation, reflecting God's grace towards repentant sinners.

Theological Significance
Embracing in the Bible often carries a deeper theological significance. It represents God's love and acceptance of humanity, as well as the call for believers to love one another. The act of embracing is a tangible expression of the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). It serves as a reminder of the unity and fellowship that should characterize the Christian community.

Furthermore, embracing can symbolize the acceptance of God's promises and truths. In Hebrews 11:13 , the patriarchs are described as having "embraced" the promises of God, even though they did not see them fulfilled in their lifetime. This act of embracing reflects faith and trust in God's faithfulness.

Practical Application
In practical terms, embracing can be seen as an encouragement for believers to cultivate relationships marked by love, forgiveness, and unity. It challenges Christians to break down barriers of division and to welcome others with open arms, reflecting the love of Christ. Embracing also calls for the acceptance of God's truths and the willingness to live out one's faith with conviction and compassion.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Embrace.5111. tolmao -- to have courage, to be bold
... to show daring courage necessary for a valid risk ("putting it all on the line");
courageously venture forward by putting fear behind and embracing the fruit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5111.htm - 8k

5362. philandros -- loving men, (of a wife) loving her husband
... friend" and 435 , "husband, the male companion of a wife") -- properly, the special
affection of a woman for her life-time mate (husband), embracing him as her ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5362.htm - 7k

25. agapao -- to love
... Cognate: 25 -- properly, to , to ; for the believer, "" (1 Jn 4:9,10), ie embracing
God's will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/25.htm - 10k

5368. phileo -- to love
... or an object)), ie Have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter
of sentiment or feeling; while agapao is wider, embracing especially the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5368.htm - 8k

4843. sumperilambano -- to enclose, embrace
... completely. Word Origin from sun and a comp. of peri and lambano Definition
to enclose, embrace NASB Word Usage embracing (1). embrace. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4843.htm - 6k

2263. chabaq -- to clasp, embrace
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to clasp, embrace NASB Word Usage embrace (7),
embraced (3), embracing (1), folds (1), hug (1). embrace, fold. ...
/hebrew/2263.htm - 6k

The New Year All-Embracing as the Greek Service Books Are ...
... STILLING THE TEMPEST THE NEW YEAR All-embracing as the Greek service books are,
curiously enough they contain, strictly speaking, no Thanksgiving services. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/the new year all-embracing as.htm

All-Embracing Providence of God.
... CHARACTER, ATTRIBUTES AND PROVIDENCE OF GOD. 138. " All-embracing Providence of
God. 138. CM Thomson. All-embracing Providence of God. 1 Jehovah God! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/138 all-embracing providence of.htm

Simeon's Swan-Song
... Here we have the Old recognising and embracing the New; the slave recognising and
submitting to his Owner; and the saint recognising and welcoming the approach ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/simeons swan-song.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Men of Science.
... These three views of life are as follows: First, embracing the individual, or the
animal view of life; second, embracing the society, or the pagan view of life ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iv christianity misunderstood by.htm

Concerning Sovereign Lord, "Ancient of Days" in which Also ...
... as "Sovereign Lord," and as "Ancient of days." For He is called the former, by reason
that He is an all-controlling basis, binding and embracing the whole, and ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput x concerning sovereign lord.htm

But Thou who Both Hast Sons, and Livest in that End of the World.. ...
... 11. But thou who both hast sons, and livest in that end of the world, wherein now
is the time not of casting stones, but of gathering; not of embracing, but of ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 11 but thou who.htm

Then, after all These Things, the Heavens Will not Give their Dew. ...
... shall be filled with stench, the rivers shall be dried up, the fish of the sea shall
die, men shall perish of hunger and thirst; and father embracing son, and ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxvii then after all.htm

Letter xxxiii. To the Synod of Ephesus .
... and the disciples mentioned various people's opinion: but, when He asked what they
themselves believed, the chief of the apostles, embracing the fulness of the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xxxiii to the synod.htm

Before Christ it was a Time for Marrying; Since Christ it Has Been ...
... So that we may acknowledge that the scripture which says there is "a time to embrace,
and a time to refrain from embracing," [2110] is to be distributed in its ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 xiii before christ it.htm

Faith and Unbelief.
... the will. It is an efficient state of mind, and therefore it must consist
in the embracing of the truth by the heart or will. It ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxv faith and unbelief.htm

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

Cling (35 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast, especially by twining round or
embracing; as, the tendril of a vine clings to its support; -- usually ...
/c/cling.htm - 16k

Know (8133 Occurrences)
... 3). Knowledge is affirmed of both God and man, but with the wide contrast that God's
knowledge is absolute, unerring, complete, intuitive, embracing all things ...
/k/know.htm - 12k

Knowledge
... 3). Knowledge is affirmed of both God and man, but with the wide contrast that God's
knowledge is absolute, unerring, complete, intuitive, embracing all things ...
/k/knowledge.htm - 12k

Underneath (19 Occurrences)
... all phenomena and all the chances and changes of life and time there is unchanging
law, everlasting principle, an all-enfolding power, an all-embracing love. ...
/u/underneath.htm - 12k

Og (22 Occurrences)
... (see SIHON.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OG. (`ogh; Og): King of Bashan,
whose territory, embracing 60 cities, was conquered by Moses and the Israelites ...
/o/og.htm - 17k

Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences)
... The territory beyond Jordan, embracing 2 1/2 tribes, or one-fourth of the whole
kingdom, had been lost in warfare with the Syrian king, Hazael (2 Kings 10:32 ...
/j/jehoahaz.htm - 23k

Literature (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The collective body of literary productions, embracing the entire results
of knowledge and fancy preserved in writing; also, the whole body of literary ...
/l/literature.htm - 82k

Grasp (20 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To seize and hold by clasping or embracing
with the fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of. ...
/g/grasp.htm - 13k

Grasping (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Seizing; embracing; catching. 2. (a.) Avaricious;
greedy of gain; covetous; close; miserly; as, he is a grasping man. ...
/g/grasping.htm - 7k

Do gay people go to heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What is the plan of salvation? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be missional? Should Christians be missional? | GotQuestions.org

Embracing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus