Embrace
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
lit. signifies "to draw to oneself;" hence, "to greet, salute, welcome," the ordinary meaning, e.g., in Romans 16 , where it is used 21 times. It also signifies "to bid farewell," e.g., Acts 20:1 , Rv, "took leave of" (Av, "embraced"). A "salutation or farewell" was generally made by embracing and kissing (see Luke 10:4 , which indicates the posibility of delay on the journey by frequent salutation). In Hebrews 11:13 it is said of those who greeted the promises from afar, Rv, "greeted," for Av, "embraced." Cp. aspasmos, "a salutation." See Greet , Leave (take), Salute.
Acts 21:6
lit., "to take around with," (sun, "with" peri, "around," lambano, "to take"), "to embrace," is used in Acts 20:10 , in connection with Paul's recovery of Eutychus. In the Sept., Ezra 5:3 , "to enclose."
King James Dictionary [2]
1. To take, clasp or inclose in the arms to press to the bosom, in token of affection.
Paul called to him the disciples and embraced them. Acts 20
2. To seize eagerly to lay hold on to receive or take with willingness that which is offered as, to embrace the christian religion to embrace the opportunity of doing a favor. 3. To comprehend to include or take in as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences. 4. To comprise to inclose to encompass to contain to encircle.
Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed,
Between the mountain and the stream embraced.
5. To receive to admit. 6. To find to take to accept.
Fleance--must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour.
7. To have carnal intercourse with. 8. To put on. 9. To attempt to influence a jury corruptly.
Embra'Ce, To join in an embrace.
Embra'Ce, n. Inclosure or clasp with the arms pressure to the bosom with the arms.
1. Reception of one thing into another. 2. Sexual intercourse conjugal endearment.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( n.) To cling to; to cherish; to love.
(2): ( v. t.) To fasten on, as armor.
(3): ( n.) To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
(4): ( n.) Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug.
(5): ( n.) To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.
(6): ( n.) To encircle; to encompass; to inclose.
(7): ( n.) To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in; as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
(8): ( n.) To accept; to undergo; to submit to.
(9): ( n.) To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court.
(10): ( v. i.) To join in an embrace.
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types [4]
Song of Solomon 2:6 (c) This is typical of the close fellowship which the Lord Jesus has with those whom He loves and who have learned to trust Him. It speaks also of His protecting care as a mother holds the child to her bosom.
Hebrews 11:13 (c) This is a figure to describe the appropriation of the Word of God with all the heart and soul.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [5]
em -brās ´: The word has two distinct meanings in the Old Testament: (1) to clasp and hold fondly in the arms, pointing to a common custom ( Genesis 29:13; Genesis 33:4; Genesis 48:10; 2 Kings 4:16; Song of Solomon 2:6; Song of Solomon 8:3; compare Acts 20:10 ), and (2) to have sexual intercourse ( Proverbs 4:8; Proverbs 5:20; Ecclesiastes 3:5 ). It seems to have acquired this technical sense in later Jewish usage.
