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.]
 
    Related entry:
    ἀπασπάζομαι, 1 aorist 
ὰπησπασάμην; 
to salute on leaving, bid farewell, take leave of: τινά, 
Acts 21:6 L T Tr WH. (Himer. eclog. ex Phot. 11, p. 194.)
 
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