### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G4347 (προσκολλάω, transliterated as *proskolláō*) is a compound word formed from the preposition πρός (pros), meaning "to, toward, in addition to," and the verb κολλάω (kolláō), meaning "to glue, cement, join."
Literally, προσκολλάω conveys the strong action of "gluing to," "sticking fast to," or "cleaving to," implying a firm and often permanent adhesion. It evokes an image of two distinct entities becoming inextricably bound together, as if by an adhesive.
In the New Testament, G4347 is used exclusively in a figurative sense, primarily to describe a deep and inseparable bond between individuals. Its semantic range extends to:
1. **To adhere firmly**: To become strongly attached to someone or something.
2. **To cleave to**: To remain devoted and steadfastly united.
3. **To join oneself to**: To enter into a profound and intimate union.
While its literal sense is concrete, its biblical usage elevates it to describe a spiritual and relational unity of the highest order, particularly within the context of marriage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
G4347 appears 7 times in the New Testament, with its most significant usage defining the nature of the marital bond.
1. **[[Matthew 19:5]]**: "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be *joined* to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Jesus quotes [[Genesis 2:24]] in response to the Pharisees' question about divorce. The verb προσκολλάω here emphasizes the divine intention for marriage as an unbreakable, lifelong union. The "leaving" of parental authority is a necessary prerequisite for the "joining" to the spouse, establishing a new, primary allegiance.
2. **[[Mark 10:7]]**: "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be *joined* to his wife." This parallel passage in Mark's Gospel reiterates Jesus' teaching on the sanctity and permanence of marriage, echoing the foundational truth from Genesis. The act of "joining" signifies a complete fusion of lives.
3. **[[Acts 5:36]]**: "For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, *joined* him; but he was killed, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing." This is the only instance where προσκολλάω is not used in the context of marriage. Here, it describes individuals attaching themselves to a leader, signifying allegiance and adherence to a cause or person. While distinct, it still carries the core meaning of strong, intentional attachment.
4. **[[1 Corinthians 6:16]]**: "Or do you not know that he who *joins* himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For, 'The two,' He says, 'shall become one flesh.'" Paul uses the same "one flesh" principle from [[Genesis 2:24]] to underscore the profound spiritual and physical implications of sexual union, even outside of marriage. The verb προσκολλάω highlights that any sexual act creates a deep, unifying bond, making the participants "one body," thereby warning against sexual immorality and its defiling effects.
5. **[[Ephesians 5:31]]**: "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be *joined* to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Paul again quotes [[Genesis 2:24]], using it as the theological bedrock for his instruction on marriage. In this context, the "joining" is not merely an earthly union but a profound mystery that reflects the relationship between Christ and His Church ([[Ephesians 5:32]]).
Across these occurrences, προσκολλάω consistently conveys the idea of a deep, intentional, and often exclusive adherence, whether in the context of marital union or allegiance to a leader. Its primary and most impactful use is in defining the sacred and indissoluble nature of marriage.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **κολλάω (kolláō) `{{G2853}}`**: This is the base verb from which προσκολλάω is derived. κολλάω itself means "to glue, cement, join," and can also be used figuratively for adhering or associating with someone. The prefix πρός (pros) in προσκολλάω intensifies the sense of direction and attachment, emphasizing a purposeful and complete bonding *to* something or someone.
* **ἕν σάρξ (hen sarx)**: "One flesh." This foundational phrase, drawn directly from [[Genesis 2:24]], is inextricably linked with προσκολλάω. The "cleaving" or "joining" is the action that results in the "one flesh" union, signifying a complete physical, emotional, and spiritual unity in marriage.
* **ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) `{{G863}}`**: "To leave, forsake." This verb frequently appears alongside προσκολλάω in the marriage passages ("a man shall *leave* his father and mother and be *joined* to his wife"). The act of leaving one's family of origin is presented as a necessary step for the full and exclusive adherence to one's spouse, signifying a transfer of primary allegiance.
* **Covenant (διαθήκη - diathēkē `{{G1242}}`)**: While not a direct synonym, the concept of "cleaving" in marriage aligns perfectly with the biblical understanding of covenant. Marriage, as described by προσκολλάω, implies a solemn, unbreakable commitment and a bond of faithfulness, much like God's covenants with His people.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of προσκολλάω is profound, particularly in shaping the biblical understanding of marriage:
1. **Divine Institution and Design**: The consistent use of προσκολλάω in conjunction with [[Genesis 2:24]] firmly establishes marriage as a foundational, divinely ordained institution. It is not merely a human convention but a sacred union designed by God from creation, reflecting His own relational nature.
2. **Indissoluble Union**: The imagery inherent in "gluing" or "cleaving" powerfully conveys the permanent and unbreakable nature of the marital bond. It signifies a union intended to be lifelong and exclusive, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His covenants. This concept is central to Jesus' teaching on divorce, emphasizing the sanctity and integrity of the original design.
3. **Holistic Unity ("One Flesh")**: The verb points to the comprehensive nature of marital unity—physical, emotional, and spiritual. It describes not just a legal or social agreement but a profound merging of two distinct lives into a new, single entity. This "one flesh" reality has significant implications for sexual ethics, as seen in 1 Corinthians, where even illicit sexual acts create a form of "oneness" that defiles and dishonors.
4. **Primacy of the Marital Relationship**: The command to "leave and cleave" (ἀφίημι and προσκολλάω) underscores the unique and primary allegiance that a husband and wife are to have to each other. This bond takes precedence over all other human relationships, including those with parents, establishing the new marital unit as the foundational social structure.
5. **Christ and the Church (The Great Mystery)**: In [[Ephesians 5:31-32]], Paul elevates the "cleaving" of husband and wife to a "great mystery" that symbolizes the profound and inseparable union between Christ and His Church. The husband's loving headship and the wife's respectful submission become a living parable of Christ's sacrificial love for His Church and the Church's devoted adherence to Him. Thus, marriage, characterized by προσκολλάω, becomes a visible representation of the gospel.
### Summary
The Greek verb προσκολλάω (proskolláō, G4347), meaning "to glue to" or "to stick fast," is used in the New Testament primarily to describe the profound and inseparable adherence between a husband and wife in marriage. Drawing directly from the "one flesh" union established in [[Genesis 2:24]], this word appears in the teachings of Jesus ([[Matthew 19:5]], [[Mark 10:7]]) and the Apostle Paul ([[1 Corinthians 6:16]], [[Ephesians 5:31]]), consistently emphasizing marriage as a divinely instituted, permanent, and holistic bond. While one instance in [[Acts 5:36]] describes allegiance to a leader, the dominant usage highlights the sacred nature of marital commitment. Theologically, προσκολλάω underscores the sanctity, indissolubility, and comprehensive unity of marriage, portraying it as a covenantal relationship foundational to human society and, ultimately, a profound mystery reflecting the union of Christ and His Church. It signifies the exclusive and primary commitment required within the marital bond, necessitating a "leaving" of prior allegiances to fully "cleave" to one's spouse.
TRV