"to take into one’s hands, etc., Lk. 2:28; 16:6, 7; to receive, Acts 22:5; 28:21; Phil. 4:18; to receive into and retain, contain, Acts 3:21; met. to receive by the hearing, learn, acquire a knowledge of, 2 Cor. 11:4; Jas. 1:21; to receive, admit, grant access to, receive kindly, ..."
Definition and meaning
to take into one’s hands, etc., Lk. 2:28; 16:6, 7; to receive, Acts 22:5; 28:21; Phil. 4:18; to receive into and retain, contain, Acts 3:21; met. to receive by the hearing, learn, acquire a knowledge of, 2 Cor. 11:4; Jas. 1:21; to receive, admit, grant access to, receive kindly, welcome, Mt. 10:40, 41; 18:5; to receive in hospitality, entertain, Lk. 9:53; Heb. 11:31; to bear with, bear patiently, 2 Cor. 11:16; met. to receive, approve, assent to, Mt. 11:14; Lk. 8:13; Acts 8:14; 11:1; to admit, and by impl. to embrace, follow, 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 8:17
In the original Greek the word is written: δέχομαι
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of dechomai (G1209) across the King James Bible.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
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Common questions
Strong's G1209 (dechomai) is a Greek word that means: to take into one’s hands, etc., Lk. 2:28; 16:6, 7; to receive, Acts 22:5; 28:21; Phil. 4:18; to receive into and retain, contain, Acts 3:21; met. to receive by the hearing, learn, acquire a knowledge ... It appears 48 times in the King James Bible.
The word dechomai (G1209) appears 48 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1209 is dechomai, a Greek word defined as: to take into one’s hands, etc., Lk. 2:28; 16:6, 7; to receive, Acts 22:5; 28:21; Phil. 4:18; to receive into and retain, contain, Acts 3:21; met. to r. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
dechomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.