English · KJV
G4843

συμπεριλαμβάνω

symperilambánō /soom-per-ee-lam-ban'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom σύν and a compound of περί and λαμβάνω
Meaningto take by enclosing altogether, i.e. earnestly throw the arms about one
KJV usageembrace.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of symperilambánō — 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 symperilambánō, represented by G4843, means to embrace or to "take by enclosing altogether." It is a rare term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, highlighting a specific and powerful moment of physical contact.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of G4843 is found in a dramatic scene where the apostle Paul performs a life-restoring act. After a young man falls, Paul G3972 went down G2597 and fell on G1968 him. In this moment, he is described as embracing G4843 the man and declaring, "Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him" Acts 20:10. The word captures the totality of the physical act that precedes the reassurance of life.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words illuminate the context of this singular event:

  • G1968 epipíptō: Defined as "to embrace (with affection) or seize," this word is used when Paul fell on the man Acts 20:10. It is also used to describe the father's emotional embrace of his returning son Luke 15:20 and the Ephesian elders falling on Paul's neck in sorrow Acts 20:37.
  • G5590 psychḗ: This word for life or soul is central to Paul's declaration. He confirms that the man's life G5590 is still in him, making the preceding embrace a sign of this reality Acts 20:10.
  • G2350 thorybéō: Meaning "to be in tumult, i.e. disturb, clamor," this describes the state of the onlookers. Paul's command, "Trouble not yourselves," contrasts the peace of his action with the crowd's distress Acts 20:10.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G4843 is tied directly to its sole appearance:

  • Tangible Restoration: The act of embracing the young man is a physical and visible prelude to the miracle. It illustrates how God's power can work through a tangible, human gesture of care.
  • Bringing Peace in Tumult: Paul's embrace and his words serve to calm the crowd who were in a tumult G2350. The action provides comfort and counters the fear and chaos of the moment Acts 20:10.
  • Confirmation of Life: The embrace is immediately followed by Paul's authoritative statement that the man's life G5590 is in him. The word therefore signifies an act that is profoundly connected to the preservation and affirmation of life.

Summary

In summary, symperilambánō G4843 provides a powerful and specific depiction of an embrace. Though used only once, its context in Acts 20:10 shows it to be more than a simple hug; it is an all-encompassing, restorative act. It demonstrates a moment where a physical expression of compassion is directly linked to the confirmation of life and the calming of a distressed crowd, highlighting the power working through the apostle Paul.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • 2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
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.

G3972 Παῦλος of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of G2597 καταβαίνω from κατά and the base of βάσις; to descend (literally or figuratively):--come (get, go, step) down, fall (down). G1968 ἐπιπίπτω from ἐπί and πίπτω; to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or figuratively):--fall G5590 ψυχή from ψύχω; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus dist G2350 θορυβέω from θόρυβος; to be in tumult, i.e. disturb, clamor:--make ado (a noise), trouble self, set on an uproar.

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

1 verse, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.