ἀσπάζομαι

ἀσπάζομαι — aspázomai

ἀσπάζομαι; (imperfect ἠσπαζομην); 1 aorist ἠσπασαμην; (from σπάω with ἆ intensive (which see, but cf. Vanicek, p. 1163; Curtius, Das Verbum, i. 324f); hence, properly, to draw to oneself (Winers Grammar, § 38, 7 at the end); cf. ἀσκαίρω for σκαίρω, ἀσπαίρω for σπαίρω, ἀσπαρίζω for σπαρίζω); (from Homer down);

a. with an accusative of the person, to salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to (the Israelites, on meeting and at parting, generally used the formula לְך שָׁלום); used of those accosting anyone: Mat 10:12; Mar 9:15; Mar 15:18; Luk 1:40; Act 21:19. of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing almost immediately afterward: Act 18:22; Act 21:7; like the Latinsalutare, our 'pay one's respects to,' of those who show regard for a distinguished person by visiting him: Act 25:13 (Josephus, Antiquities 1, 19, 5; 6, 11, 1). of those who greet one whom they meet in the way: Mat 5:47 (in the East even now Christians and Mohammedans do not salute each other); Luk 10:4 (as a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing and kissing, a journey was retarded by saluting frequently). of those departing and bidding farewell: Act 20:1; Act 21:6 (R G). of the absent, saluting by letter: Rom 16:3; Rom 16:5-23; 1Co 16:19; 2Co 13:12 (13); Php 4:21; Col 4:10-12; Col 4:14; 1Th 5:26, etc. ἐν φιλήματι: Rom 16:16; 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12; 1Pe 5:14.

b. with an accusative of the thing, to receive joyfully, welcome: τάς ἐπαγγελίας, Heb 11:13 (τήν συμφοράν, Euripides, Ion 587; τήν εὔνοιαν, Josephus, Antiquities 6, 5, 3; τούς λόγους, ibid. 7, 8, 4; sosaluto, Vergil Aen. 3, 524). (Compare: ἀπασπάζομαι.)