from σύν and λαμβάνω; to clasp, i.e. seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid:--catch, conceive, help, take.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb συλλαμβάνω (syllambánō, `{{G4815}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition σύν (syn, `{{G4862}}`), meaning "with" or "together," and the verb λαμβάνω (lambánō, `{{G2983}}`), meaning "to take" or "to seize." This etymological foundation reveals the core semantic range of "taking together" or "seizing in conjunction with."
From this core, three primary semantic fields emerge:
1. **Apprehension or Capture:** This is the most direct extension, signifying the act of seizing, arresting, or taking hold of someone or something, often with force or intent. It implies a decisive act of taking into custody or control.
2. **Conception (Biological):** In a specialized and often metaphorical sense, συλλαμβάνω refers to the act of becoming pregnant, the "taking in" or "receiving" of life within the womb. This usage highlights a miraculous or significant internal initiation. Figuratively, it can extend to the "conception" or generation of an idea or, notably, sin.
3. **Assistance or Aid:** This meaning emphasizes the "togetherness" aspect of the compound. To "take alongside" someone implies helping, assisting, or cooperating with them in an endeavor. It denotes active participation in support of another.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
συλλαμβάνω appears frequently in the New Testament, with its meaning determined by context:
* **Apprehension/Arrest:** This is a prominent usage, particularly in the Gospels and Acts, describing the seizure of individuals:
* Referring to the arrest of Jesus: [[Matthew 26:48]], [[Matthew 26:55]], [[Mark 14:44]], [[Mark 14:48]], [[Luke 22:54]]. These instances consistently depict the forceful taking of Christ by the authorities.
* Describing the arrest of Peter by Herod Agrippa: [[Acts 12:3]].
* Paul's near-arrest by the Roman tribune: [[Acts 23:27]].
* In a more general sense of "catching," applied to a large catch of fish by the disciples: [[Luke 5:9]]. Here, the nuance is "catching together" a multitude.
* **Conception (Biological and Figurative):** This usage highlights the miraculous or generative aspect:
* The conception of John the Baptist by Elizabeth: [[Luke 1:24]], [[Luke 1:36]]. These verses underscore the divine intervention in Elizabeth's barrenness.
* The miraculous conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary: [[Luke 1:31]]. This is a pivotal theological statement on the incarnation.
* Figuratively, the "conception" of sin in [[James 1:15]]. Here, desire (ἐπιθυμία) is personified as conceiving (συλλαμβάνουσα) sin, which then gives birth to death. This powerful metaphor illustrates the internal, generative process of sin.
* **Assistance/Aid:** This meaning emphasizes cooperation and support:
* Paul's exhortation to his fellow worker in Philippi: [[Philippians 4:3]]. He asks his "true yokefellow" to "help" (συλλαμβάνου) those women who labored with him in the gospel. This signifies active partnership and support in ministry.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of συλλαμβάνω is enriched by examining its relationship to other Greek terms:
* **λαμβάνω (lambánō, `{{G2983}}`):** As the root verb, λαμβάνω means "to take," "to receive," or "to grasp." συλλαμβάνω adds the dimension of "togetherness" or "joint action" through the prefix σύν (syn, `{{G4862}}`). While λαμβάνω can denote simple taking, συλλαμβάνω often implies a more deliberate, collective, or significant taking, whether it be an arrest, a miraculous conception, or a cooperative effort.
* **Words for Seizing/Apprehension:**
* πιάζω (piázō, `{{G4084}}`): "to seize," "to lay hold of," often with force or cunning, similar to συλλαμβάνω in arrest contexts.
* κρατέω (kratéō, `{{G2902}}`): "to grasp," "to hold fast," "to take control of." While κρατέω emphasizes holding power, συλλαμβάνω emphasizes the initial act of taking.
* **Words for Conception/Birth:**
* κυέω (kyéō, `{{G2943}}`): "to be pregnant," "to conceive." This verb specifically refers to the state of pregnancy, whereas συλλαμβάνω focuses on the *act* of conceiving.
* γεννάω (gennáō, `{{G1080}}`): "to beget," "to give birth." This verb describes the outcome of conception.
* **Words for Helping/Cooperation:**
* βοηθέω (boēthéō, `{{G997}}`): "to help," "to come to aid," often in response to a cry for help.
* συνεργέω (synergéō, `{{G4903}}`): "to work together with," emphasizing joint effort and collaboration. συλλαμβάνω in its "aid" sense conveys a similar idea of active support.
The distinctiveness of συλλαμβάνω lies in its capacity to convey a decisive "taking" that can be physical (arrest), biological (conception), or relational (aid), always imbued with the sense of "togetherness" or "completion" implied by the σύν prefix.
### Theological Significance
The various uses of συλλαμβάνω carry profound theological implications:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Miraculous Intervention:** The use of συλλαμβάνω for the conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ underscores God's active and direct involvement in human history and salvation. These are not mere biological occurrences but divinely orchestrated acts, demonstrating God's power to initiate life and fulfill His redemptive plan in extraordinary ways, even against natural impossibilities (Elizabeth's old age, Mary's virginity).
* **The Nature of Sin:** The vivid imagery in [[James 1:15]], where desire "conceives" sin, offers a critical insight into the internal genesis of human transgression. Sin is not merely an external act but originates from within, from an unbridled desire that "takes hold" and brings forth destructive fruit. This highlights the insidious and generative power of sin in the human heart.
* **Suffering and Persecution in Ministry:** The repeated use of συλλαμβάνω to describe the arrest of Jesus and His followers serves as a stark reminder of the opposition and suffering inherent in the path of discipleship. It points to the reality that proclaiming the Gospel often leads to confrontation with hostile powers, mirroring Christ's own experience.
* **Mutual Support in Christian Community:** The application of συλλαμβάνω to "helping" fellow workers in the gospel ([[Philippians 4:3]]) emphasizes the vital importance of koinonia (fellowship) and collaborative effort within the body of Christ. It underscores the call to actively "take alongside" and support one another in the arduous yet rewarding work of ministry, reflecting the unity and interdependence of believers.
### Summary
συλλαμβάνω (syllambánō, `{{G4815}}`) is a versatile Greek verb whose core meaning, derived from "taking together," expands into three significant semantic domains: physical apprehension or capture, biological or figurative conception, and active assistance or aid. Its biblical occurrences vividly illustrate these facets, from the forceful arrest of Christ and His disciples to the miraculous conceptions that initiated God's redemptive plan, and the vital call to mutual support in Christian ministry. Theologically, συλλαμβάνω illuminates divine sovereignty in miraculous births, the internal genesis of sin, the reality of persecution faced by believers, and the essential nature of collaborative service within the church. It is a word that encapsulates profound moments of divine action, human fallenness, and communal faithfulness.
TRV