Greek · G4815 · unreviewed

συλλαμβάνω

To seize/conceive/help

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συλλαμβάνω G4815
Pronunciation syllambánō

What does συλλαμβάνω (syllambánō) mean in the Bible?

συλλαμβάνω (syllambánō) is a Greek word meaning "to seize/conceive/help". συλ-λαμβάνω [in LXX for תָּפַשׂ, הָרָה, etc.

Full entry for συλλαμβάνω (G4815) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to seize/conceive/help
Extended definition

Seize actively or conceive; fundamentally means to grasp or take hold of something concrete or abstract.

1with accusative, to bring together, collect.
2to seize, take: with accusative of person(s), as a prisoner, Mat.26:55, Mrk.14:48, Luk.22:54, Jhn.18:12, Act.1:16 12:3; pass., Act.23:27; mid., in sense of act., Act.26:21; σ. ἄγραν ἰχθύων, Luk.5:9.
3C. dative of person(s), to take part with, assist, succour; mid., in same sense: Luk.5:7, Php.4:3.
4Of a woman, to conceive: absol., Luk.1:24; before ἐν γαστρί, Luk.1:31; with accusative, Luk.1:36; ib. before ἐν τ. κοιλίᾳ, Luk.2:21; metaphorically, of lust producing sin, Jas.1:15.
Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses
Aorist Future Perfect Present
Voices
Active Middle Passive
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract
Aorist Active Matt 26:55 · Mark 14:48 · Acts 12:3
Aorist Passive Luke 2:21
Aorist Middle Luke 5:7
Indicative states a fact or reality
Aorist Active Luke 5:9 · John 18:12 · Luke 1:24
Future Middle Luke 1:31
Perfect Active Luke 1:36
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality
Aorist Active Luke 22:54 · Acts 1:16 · Jas 1:15
Aorist Passive Acts 23:27
Aorist Middle Acts 26:21
Imperative command or strong request
Present Middle Phil 4:3
Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 16 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect
completed 3 prospective 1 resultant 1 imperative 1 infinitive 5 participle 5
Tense
aorist 13 future 1 perfect 1 present 1
Voice
active 10 middle 4 passive 2
Mood
participle 5 infinitive 5 indicative 5 imperative 1

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Biblical Occurrences
Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources