"to catch; to seize, apprehend, Mt. 26:55; Acts 1:16; to catch, as prey, Lk. 5:9; to conceive, become pregnant, Lk. 1:24, 31, 36; 2:21; met. Jas. 1:15; mid. to help, aid, assist, Lk. 5:7; Phil. 4:3"
Definition and meaning
to catch; to seize, apprehend, Mt. 26:55; Acts 1:16; to catch, as prey, Lk. 5:9; to conceive, become pregnant, Lk. 1:24, 31, 36; 2:21; met. Jas. 1:15; mid. to help, aid, assist, Lk. 5:7; Phil. 4:3
In the original Greek the word is written: συλλαμβάνω
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 syllambano (G4815) across the King James Bible.
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
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Common questions
Strong's G4815 (syllambano) is a Greek word that means: to catch; to seize, apprehend, Mt. 26:55; Acts 1:16; to catch, as prey, Lk. 5:9; to conceive, become pregnant, Lk. 1:24, 31, 36; 2:21; met. Jas. 1:15; mid. to help, aid, assist, Lk. 5:7; Phil. 4:3 It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word syllambano (G4815) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4815 is syllambano, a Greek word defined as: to catch; to seize, apprehend, Mt. 26:55; Acts 1:16; to catch, as prey, Lk. 5:9; to conceive, become pregnant, Lk. 1:24, 31, 36; 2:21; met. Jas. 1:15;. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
syllambano is a Greek word found in the New Testament.