English · KJV
G1686

ἐμβάπτω

embáptō /em-bap'-to/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἐν and βάπτω
Meaningto whelm on, i.e. wet (a part of the person, etc.) by contact with a fluid
KJV usagedip.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of embáptō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ἐμβάπτω (embáptō), represented by G1686, means to dip. It is formed from the words ἐν, meaning "in," and βάπτω, meaning to dip or moisten. According to usage statistics, it appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, with all occurrences relating to a single, significant event.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1686 is used exclusively in the context of the Last Supper to identify Jesus's betrayer. In Matthew's account, Jesus states, "He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me" Matthew 26:23. Mark's Gospel records a similar statement, identifying the betrayer as "one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish" Mark 14:20. John's account presents the act as a direct sign from Jesus, who, after having dipped the sop, gave it to Judas Iscariot John 13:26.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context of this action:

  • G911 báptō (dip): This is the root verb from which embáptō is derived. It refers to the act of moistening or dipping something. In John 13:26, Jesus states he will give the sop to his betrayer after he has dipped it.
  • G5165 trýblion (dish): This noun identifies the shared bowl from which the disciples and Jesus were eating. The act of dipping into the same dish signifies fellowship, making the betrayal more profound Matthew 26:23.
  • G5596 psōmíon (sop): This word for a morsel or piece of bread is the specific item Jesus dips. After receiving the sop, Satan entered into Judas John 13:27.
  • G3860 paradídōmi (betray): This verb describes the act of betrayal that is foretold through the dipping of the hand or sop. The one who dips is identified as the one who will betray Jesus Matthew 26:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1686 is tied directly to the identification of Judas as the betrayer.

  • Sign of Betrayal: The act of dipping in a shared dish, normally a sign of communion and fellowship, is transformed into a sign pointing to the one who will break that fellowship. Jesus identifies his betrayer as the one who dippeth with him Mark 14:20.
  • Sovereign Identification: In John's account, Jesus uses the act to demonstrate His foreknowledge and sovereignty over the events of his passion. He actively dipped the sop and gave it to Judas Iscariot, marking him as the one John 13:26.
  • Intimacy and Treachery: The use of G1686 highlights the deep personal treachery involved. The betrayer is not a distant enemy but "one of the twelve" sharing an intimate meal Mark 14:20.

Summary

In summary, G1686 is a highly specific term whose meaning is defined entirely by its context within the Last Supper narrative. Though it appears only three times, it carries immense significance, marking the precise moment of identification for the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. The word links the common act of sharing a meal to a profound moment of prophecy and betrayal, demonstrating Jesus's awareness and control over his impending suffering.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
  • Present Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G911 βάπτω a primary verb; to whelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the New Testament only in a qualified or special sense, i.e G5165 τρύβλιον neuter of a presumed derivative of uncertain affinity; a bowl:--dish. G5596 ψωμίον diminutive from a derivative of the base of ψώχω; a crumb or morsel (as if rubbed off), i.e. a mouthful:--sop. G3860 παραδίδωμι from παρά and δίδωμι; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit:--betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), g

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Matthew, Mark, and John (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

1
Matthew
1
Mark
1
John

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.