[Greek] συλλαμβάνω (syllambanō), [Latin] concipere, [Latin] conprehendere, [Latin] adprehendere, [Latin] laborare: to join in helping, to take part with, to conceive, to seize, to arrest, to capture, to take, to help with, to collect; Mt.26:55, Mk.14:48, Lk.1:24, Lk.1:31, Lk.1:36, Lk.2:21, Lk.5:7,9, Lk.22:54, Jn.18:12, Acts 1:16, Acts 12:3, Acts 23:27, Acts 26:21, Php.4:3, Jas.1:15
The Visitation: painting by Rogier van der Weyden (1435). Mary visits Elizabeth
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to gather together, to restore, to arrest, to grasp, to conceive, to help, to comprehend, to seize, to contribute, and to buy up.
Herodotus’ The Histories 4.114.1: “Now the men couldn’t learn the women’s language, but the women mastered the speech of men.”
Plato’s Symposium 209a: “For there are person who in their souls conceive those things which are proper for them to conceive and bring forth: prudence, virtue, and sobriety.”
Sophocles’ Philoctetes 282: “I bewailed when I saw that there was no man in place, not one to help me.”
Xenophon’s Anabasis 7.2.14: “Some brought word to Xenophon that if he went in he would be seized, either some ill fate or else delivered over to Pharnabazus.”
Euripides’ Rhesis 513: “It I catch this fellow alive, I will impale him at the outlet of the gates.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 1.80: “He commanded them to kill all the other Lydians, but not to kill Croesus himself, even if he should defend himself against capture.”
Herodotus’ the Histories 1.63: “Pisistratus understood him, and saying that he accepted the prophecy, led his army against the enemy.”
Plato’s Phaedo 118a: “Pay it and do not neglect it. That shall be done said Crito, as he closed his mouth and eyes.”
Old Testament: This term, also having various meanings, means to get hold of someone, to seize, to surprise, to capture, to take, and to conceive. Not surprisingly, in a culture which encouraged having sons to continue the family line, there are numerous examples of conceiving (giving birth). Some nuanced senses of taking include being trapped, being caught, being friends (taking a neighbor), and being married (taking a wife).
New Testament: This term means to seize, to conceive, to help, and to catch. In addition to Jesus being arrested (seized), Paul and Peter are also arrested for following Jesus. References are made to the literal conceptions of Mary’s and Elizabeth’s children. James mentions a metaphorical conception of evil desire, giving “birth” to death. With Jesus’s help, the disciples catch a great number of fish, leading to the possible sinking of their ship. The disciples call the other disciples to help them. Peter and the disciples were taken (seized) with astonishment at the large amount of fish caught.
Scripture:
“Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.” Jas.1:15
It is man’s own deeds and actions which cause evil. Conception is presented in metaphorical terms.
“For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those around him.” Lk.5:9
The disciples were “taken” by surprise or “seized” with astonishment by the large catch of fish.
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus.” Lk. 1:31
Mary will conceive Jesus who will bring everlasting life. This scripture passage references Isa.7:14
Etymology: It is interesting to note that this Greek term also conveys being conceived. The corresponding Latin adjective pregnantem means with child. The related verb impregnare means to impregnate.
Conclusion:
Syllable, syllabic, conception, conceive, pregnant, comprehend, apprehend, labor
It was interesting to discover the many nuanced meanings of this term. The sense of taking can “take” many forms. Such examples include arresting, seizing, and carrying off. Conception can take on both literal and metaphorical examples. I certainly can visualize Plato conceiving (contemplating) a philosophical idea.
I was also surprised that these nuanced meanings also occurred in the Old Testament culture. Taking can be illustrated by being married (taking on a wife) and being befriend (taking on a friend). It is significant to note that conception can metaphorically bear mischief, evil, and death.
This idea is further illustrated by the difference between Jesus (who brings eternal life) and man (whose desires can cause death). I was also “taken” –[sorry, couldn’t resist]–by the nuanced means by which Peter and the disciples are taken with astonishment upon the large catch of fish.
I guess only God would conceive of allowing Mary to become with child in order to provide for our salvation. Our Advent season ends with the birth of our Lord!
I guess one can say that this term is “pregnant” with many (positive and negative) meanings. Quite something to conceive!