[Greek] συλλαμβάνω (syllambanō), [Latin] conprehendere, [Latin] concipere, [Latin] implere, [Latin] capere, [Latin] adprehendere, [Latin] adiuvare, [French] incarcerer, [French] absorber, [French] travailler, [German] anfullen: to arrest, to conceive, to help, to seize; Mt.26:55, Mk.14:48, Lk.1:24,31,36, 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
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 the men.”
Plato’s Symposium 209a: For there are persons 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 went in he would be seized, either meet some ill fate or else delivered over to Pharnabazus.”
Euripides’ Rhesis 513: “If 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 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 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 Mary and Elizabeth conceiving. James mentions a metaphorical concept of evil desire, “giving birth” to death. With Jesus’ help, the disciples catch a great number of fish, leading to the potential sinking of their ship. The disciples other offer to help each other. Peter and the disciples were taken (seized) with astonishment with the large amount of fish caught.
Scripture:
“Then desire conceives and bring 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 seized with astonishment.
“Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate, to help them [Euodia and Syntyche], for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.” Php.4:3
They were helpers and still yet struggled together
Etymology: The modern word syllable means that which is held together. The Latin verb conprehendere means to take hold of, to seize with the mind, and to understand. The Latin verb concipere means to take into the womb and to take into the mind. The Latin verb implere means to fill up, to satisfy, and to complete. The Latin verb capere means to capture and to seize. The Latin verb adprehendere means to take hold or grap. The Latin verb adiuvare means to assist or help (There is no J in the Latin alphabet). Interestingly, the related Latin verb impregnare had previously meant to fill with meaning. The Greek verb syllambano literally means to take (hold) with.
Conclusion:
Syllable, comprehend, comprehension, incarceration, conceive, conception, capture, apprehend, travails, absorb, adjutant, implement
It was interesting to take note of the various meanings involving taking. A philosophical idea can be conceived (born) in the mind.
I was also surprised by the nuanced meanings of this term in the Old Testament culture. Taking can be illustrated by marriage and friendship. It is significant to note that mischief, evil, and death can be metaphorically conceived.
It is important to note that we cannot just continue to have this debate with gun control and gun rights (yet still making no progress). We need to look deeper and further into underlying family issues (missing parents, poor parental guidance, mental health, and anger issues). We all must recognize such circumstances may “conceive” or “give birth” to sin, evil, destruction, and death.
I guess one can say that this term is quite pregnant (filled) with many meanings. Quite something to conceive!
Update: The Biden administration is now imploring Congress to ban (take away or seize) certain guns.
It is always beneficial to learn (acquire) a foreign language in order to immerse oneself into another culture.
It is through the Holy Sprit that Mary was conceived with the child Jesus.
We conceive (take in) the seven gifts from the Holy Spirit.
Some parents, fearful for the kids, took upon themselves to rescue their kids from potential danger in the shooting in Uvalde.
Oftentimes a foreigner may find himself (herself) in a dangerous situation (held in detention or imprisoned) in another country.
More must be done with security measures to capture or kill shooting suspects.
Both sides of the gun control/gun rights issue must understand that more needs to be done with security measures, mental health, and background checks.
During these tragic situations, it seems that both sides are often getting bent out of shape, entrenched in their own positions. We need to avoid this and work together to conceive practical answers and solutions to respond to these issues. We cannot turn away from this. In the gun control/gun rights debate, some have often twisted the conceived stances of the other side. We also live in a world, where many have turned away and turn aside traditional beliefs. What was considered prohibitions have sometimes turned into perceived freedoms and rights in this modern post Christian world. Values and pride are often conflated with aberrant behavior in this modern world. Man can easily turn away from God because of evil and suffering. It is during these struggles than man must draw ever closer to God. One can conceive being so open-minded (turning to new ideas) that ones can lose one’s moral compass.
Next post: turning away, avoiding, and deflecting