from παρά and βάλλω; to throw alongside, i.e. (reflexively) to reach a place, or (figuratively) to liken:--arrive, compare.
Transliteration:parabállō
Pronunciation:par-ab-al'-lo
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb παραβάλλω (transliterated *parabállō*, Strong's `{{G3846}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition παρά (*para*), meaning "beside," "alongside," or "near," and the verb βάλλω (*ballō*), meaning "to throw," "cast," or "put." Etymologically, its core meaning is "to throw alongside" or "to place beside." This foundational sense gives rise to two primary semantic ranges in its biblical usage.
First, in a literal and often reflexive sense, παραβάλλω can mean "to throw oneself alongside" a place, thereby signifying "to arrive," "to put in at a port," or "to come alongside." This usage emphasizes reaching a destination, often by sea.
Second, in a figurative sense, it means "to place one thing alongside another for comparison," thus conveying the meaning "to liken," "to compare," or "to contrast." This intellectual act of juxtaposition is fundamental to understanding similarities or differences.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word παραβάλλω appears twice in the New Testament, each instance illustrating one of its distinct semantic ranges:
1. **Likening/Comparing:** In [[Mark 4:30]], Jesus asks, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or with what parable shall we present it?" Here, παραβάλλω is used in its figurative sense of comparing or likening. The context is Jesus' teaching about the Kingdom of God through parables. He seeks an apt earthly analogy to illuminate the spiritual reality of the Kingdom. The verb underscores the deliberate act of drawing parallels between the familiar (e.g., a mustard seed) and the profound (the Kingdom's growth), highlighting the pedagogical method of Jesus. This usage is closely tied to the noun παραβολή (*parabolē*, `{{G3850}}`), "parable," which literally means a "placing alongside" for comparison.
2. **Arriving/Putting In:** In [[Acts 20:13]], the narrative states concerning Paul and his companions, "But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul on board there; for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land." While translations vary ("take on board," "arrive," "put in"), the underlying meaning of παραβάλλω here is to "put in" at a specific place, or to "come alongside" a ship or port. This denotes the action of the ship reaching a designated point to embark or disembark passengers. It describes a practical aspect of travel in the ancient world, where ships would "throw themselves alongside" the shore or a dock to facilitate movement. This usage is literal, describing a physical arrival or a ship making port.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word to παραβάλλω is the noun παραβολή (*parabolē*, `{{G3850}}`), which directly derives from the same verbal root and compound structure. A *parabolē* is a "placing alongside" for the purpose of comparison, hence a "parable" or "simile." The close relationship between παραβάλλω and παραβολή illuminates Jesus' primary teaching method, where he "compares" (παραβάλλω) the Kingdom of God to earthly phenomena by means of "parables" (παραβολή).
Other related terms include the root verb βάλλω (*ballō*, `{{G906}}`), "to throw," and the preposition παρά (*para*, `{{G3844}}`), "beside." The concept of comparison is also found in other Greek words, such as ὁμοιόω (*homoioō*, `{{G3666}}`), "to make like" or "to liken," and συγκρίνω (*synkrinō*, `{{G4793}}`), "to compare." However, παραβάλλω uniquely carries the nuance of "placing alongside" for the purpose of drawing a likeness, making it particularly apt for the concept of parables.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of παραβάλλω is primarily found in its use for "likening" or "comparing," particularly in the context of Jesus' parables. When Jesus asks, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God?" ([[Mark 4:30]]), he highlights the inherent challenge in describing transcendent divine realities to human understanding. The act of "throwing alongside" (παραβάλλω) earthly images to illustrate heavenly truths reveals a divine condescension, a pedagogical strategy that meets humanity where it is. Parables are not merely illustrative stories; they are divinely inspired comparisons designed to evoke thought, challenge assumptions, and reveal the nature of God's reign in an accessible yet profound manner. This method acknowledges the limitations of human language and reason while simultaneously inviting deeper spiritual insight.
While the "arrive" sense in [[Acts 20:13]] is more practical, it still holds a subtle theological implication. The mundane act of travel, facilitated by ships "putting in" at various ports, was essential for the spread of the Gospel. Thus, even the seemingly ordinary usage of παραβάλλω underscores the providential means by which God's redemptive plan unfolded through the journeys of His apostles.
### Summary
The Greek word παραβάλλω (*parabállō*, `{{G3846}}`) carries the core meaning of "to throw alongside." This fundamental sense branches into two distinct applications in the New Testament: "to arrive" or "to put in at a port" (as seen in [[Acts 20:13]]), and "to liken" or "to compare" (as seen in [[Mark 4:30]]). Its use in Mark's Gospel is particularly significant, as it directly relates to Jesus' method of teaching about the Kingdom of God through parables (παραβολή, `{{G3850}}`). This highlights the divine strategy of using familiar earthly analogies to illuminate profound spiritual truths. Whether describing the practicalities of apostolic travel or the profound depths of divine revelation through comparison, παραβάλλω offers insight into both the logistical and pedagogical dimensions of the early Christian mission and the communication of God's truth.
TRV