What does λαμβάνω (lambánō) mean in the Bible?
Λαμβάνω is a Greek verb that can mean to receive, take, accept, take hold of, obtain, or take up. The context decides whether the action is receptive, active, relational, sacramental, or possessive.
While is more violent, to seize or remove))
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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Λαμβάνω is a Greek verb that can mean to receive, take, accept, take hold of, obtain, or take up. The context decides whether the action is receptive, active, relational, sacramental, or possessive.
Reader summary
Full entry for λαμβάνω (G2983) · Open the biblical lexicon
Λαμβάνω is a Greek verb that can mean to receive, take, accept, take hold of, obtain, or take up. The context decides whether the action is receptive, active, relational, sacramental, or possessive.
The BSB source-word alignment has 258 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include took (16), receives (11), vvv (10), receive (9), He took (7).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 5:40. Its strongest book concentrations include Matthew (53), John (46), Acts (29), Revelation (23).
This entry includes 3 verse guides that explain exact original-language forms in context.
Λαμβάνω is a Greek verb that can mean to receive, take, accept, take hold of, obtain, or take up. The context decides whether the action is receptive, active, relational, sacramental, or possessive.
Pastorally, this word matters because Scripture uses receiving language for the Spirit's power, the abundance of grace, apostolic tradition, the crown of life, and the water of life. It can also describe ordinary taking. The word calls the reader to ask what is being received and from whom.
The inherited raw gloss for this entry is not a good public guide. The reviewed display sense should be plain: receive, take, accept, or take hold of in context.
Lambano is currently counted about 258 times in the local Greek artifact. It can mean receive, take, accept, take hold of, obtain, or take up in context.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The disciples will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. The verb marks reception of Spirit-enabled witness.
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through Christ. The verb serves grace received.
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread,
Paul received from the Lord what he passed on. The verb marks received tradition handed on to the church.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
The one who perseveres under trial will receive the crown of life. The verb marks promised reward.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
The one who desires may take the water of life freely. The verb marks invitation to receive freely.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Greek word. To take or receive, with metaphorical extension to receiving intangible things like words, testimony, or eternal life.
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 262 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
I receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseI receive, take
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
How this verb appears across 257 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 5 selected witnesses from 258 lexical occurrence verses.
λαμβάνω is built from this root:
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
Lambano can mean receive, take, accept, or take hold. The object and source determine whether the emphasis is gift, responsibility, tradition, or action.
Acts.1.8
Lambano can describe receiving what is given or taking hold of what is available. The object, source, and voice of the sentence shape the nuance.
Scripture calls people to receive what God gives, hold fast what He entrusts, and take freely the life He offers. lambano marks that receiving or taking, while the passage defines the gift and response.
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain