ἀσπάζομαι; [imperfect
ἠσπαζόμην]; 1 aorist
ἠσπασάμην; (from
σπάω with
α 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
לְךָ שָׁלוֹם); used of those accosting anyone:
Matthew 10:12;
Mark 9:15;
Mark 15:18;
Luke 1:40;
Acts 21:19. of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing almost immediately afterward:
Acts 18:22;
Acts 21:7; like the Latin
salutare, our '
pay one's respects to,' of those who show regard for a distinguished person by visiting him:
Acts 25:13 (Josephus, Antiquities 1, 19, 5; 6, 11, 1). of those who greet one whom they meet in the way:
Matthew 5:47 (in the East even now Christians and Mohammedans do not salute each other);
Luke 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:
Acts 20:1;
Acts 21:6 [R G]. of the absent, saluting by letter:
Romans 16:3,
5-23;
1 Corinthians 16:19;
2 Corinthians 13:12 (
2 Corinthians 13:13);
Philippians 4:21;
Colossians 4:10-12,
14;
1 Thessalonians 5:26, etc.
ἐν φιλήματι:
Romans 16:16;
1 Corinthians 16:20;
2 Corinthians 13:12;
1 Peter 5:14.
b. with an accusative of the thing,
to receive joyfully, welcome:
τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, Hebrews 11:13 (
τὴν συμφοράν, Euripides, Ion 587;
τὴν εὔνοιαν, Josephus, Antiquities 6, 5, 3;
τοὺς λόγους, ibid. 7, 8, 4; so
saluto, Vergil Aen. 3, 524). [Compare:
ἀπασπάζομαι.]