782. aspazomai
Lexical Summary
aspazomai: To greet, salute, embrace

Original Word: ἀσπάζομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aspazomai
Pronunciation: as-PAH-zom-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (as-pad'-zom-ahee)
KJV: embrace, greet, salute, take leave
NASB: greet, greets, sends greetings, greeted, acclaim, give your greeting, greeting
Word Origin: [from G1 (α - Alpha) (as a particle of union) and a presumed form of G4685 (σπάω - drew)]

1. to enfold in the arms
2. (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
embrace, greet, salute, take leave.

From a (as a particle of union) and a presumed form of spao; to enfold in the arms, i.e. (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome -- embrace, greet, salute, take leave.

see GREEK a

see GREEK spao

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to welcome, greet
NASB Translation
acclaim (1), give...your greeting (1), greet (41), greeted (3), greeting (1), greets (5), paid their respects to (1), sends...greetings (4), taken...leave (1), welcomed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 782: ἀσπάζομαι

ἀσπάζομαι; (imperfect ἠσπαζομην); 1 aorist ἠσπασαμην; (from σπάω with 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: 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 Latinsalutare, 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 (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: τάς ἐπαγγελίας, Hebrews 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.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 782 (ἀσπάζομαι, aspazomai) describes the spoken or physical act of greeting, welcoming, or embracing. Appearing sixty times in the Greek New Testament, it moves far beyond social etiquette; it becomes an intentional ministry of peace, fellowship, and shared life in Christ.

Usage in the Gospels

Jesus frames greeting as a marker of kingdom citizenship. In Matthew 5:47 He contrasts ordinary social courtesy with the radical love that greets even enemies. In Matthew 10:12 the disciples are commanded, “As you enter the house, greet its occupants,” extending messianic peace to homes that would receive the gospel. Luke 10:4 intensifies urgency by prohibiting roadside greetings during the seventy-two’s mission, highlighting undivided devotion to kingdom work. These passages show greeting as both evangelistic blessing and disciplined focus.

Acts of the Apostles

Luke uses ἀσπάζομαι to portray early-church warmth and unity across geographical lines.
• Paul greets the church at Caesarea (Acts 18:22), later recounting in Jerusalem “the things God had done among the Gentiles” (Acts 21:19), emphasizing one body.
• Mutual greetings bind believers and civil authorities: Festus and Agrippa arrive “and greeted Festus” (Acts 25:13), illustrating the gospel’s entry into public arenas.
Acts 21:6–7 depicts parting prayer on the Tyrian shore: the farewell greeting is both blessing and lament, revealing the cost of mission.

Pauline Epistles

No writer employs the verb more than Paul. His letters end with chains of individual names, each preceded by “Greet” (Romans 16:3–16; Colossians 4:15). Through these personal salutations Paul:

1. Affirms the worth of co-laborers.
2. Models inter-congregational affection (“All the brothers here send you greetings,” 1 Corinthians 16:19-20).
3. Demonstrates doctrinal unity—greeting flows from shared confession, not mere sentiment.

The apostle also reports greetings sent from his companions (Romans 16:21-23; Colossians 4:10-14), reinforcing the network of churches knit together in Christ.

Pastoral Epistles

Timothy and Titus are urged to pass greetings to specific saints (2 Timothy 4:19; Titus 3:15). These directives show that pastoral oversight includes nurturing personal relationships and honoring faithful service.

General Epistles

Hebrews 11:13 speaks of the patriarchs who “welcomed them from a distance,” greeting God’s promises as pilgrims. The author of Hebrews later commands, “Greet all your leaders and all the saints” (Hebrews 13:24), merging respect for authority with family love. Peter closes his first letter, “Greet one another with a kiss of love” (1 Peter 5:14), coupling greeting with tangible affection rooted in salvation.

Historical and Cultural Setting

First-century Mediterranean greetings ranged from verbal blessings (εἰρήνη, “peace”) to embraces or the “holy kiss.” By baptizing these customs, the church transformed conventional politeness into a sacramental sign of reconciliation achieved at the cross. The greeting at the door, the meeting, or the letter’s end testified that former barriers—Jew and Gentile, slave and free—had fallen.

Theological Significance

1. Peace-Making: Greeting confers shalom secured by Christ (John 14:27).
2. Communion of Saints: Each salutation underscores the organic unity of the body (Ephesians 4:4).
3. Incarnational Ministry: Physical gesture embodies spiritual reality; theology becomes touchable.
4. Eschatological Hope: Believers “welcome” (Hebrews 11:13) future promises, greeting what is yet unseen.

Practical Ministry Application

• Congregational Life: Intentional, heartfelt greetings at gatherings echo apostolic practice, affirming every member’s value.
• Church Letters and Digital Communication: Closing salutations should retain warmth and specific acknowledgment, continuing Paul’s pattern.
• Mission Travel: Short-term teams model Acts 21 by blessing hosts upon arrival and departure.
• Pastoral Care: Personal greetings from leaders communicate presence even when physically absent (compare Colossians 4:18).

Christological Focus

The New Testament greeting is ultimately Christ-centered. Believers greet one another “in the Lord” (Romans 16:22). The risen Christ Himself greets His disciples with “Peace be with you” (John 20:19), establishing the pattern every Christian salutation echoes.

Summary

Strong’s 782 reveals greeting as gospel action—bestowing peace, confirming fellowship, and embodying the new humanity formed in Jesus Christ. Christian ministry that neglects sincere greeting forfeits a divinely appointed conduit of grace; those who practice it continue the apostolic rhythm of welcome, unity, and blessing until the day we greet the Lord face to face.

Forms and Transliterations
απησπασαμεθα ἀπησπασάμεθα ασπαζεσθαι ασπάζεσθαι ἀσπάζεσθαι Ασπαζεται ασπάζεται ασπάζεταί Ἀσπάζεται Ἀσπάζεταί ασπαζομαι ασπάζομαι ἀσπάζομαι Ασπαζονται ασπάζονται ασπάζονταί Ἀσπάζονται Ἀσπάζονταί ασπαζου ασπάζου ἀσπάζου ασπάλαξ Ασπασαι ασπάσαι άσπασαι Ἄσπασαι ασπασαμενοι ασπασάμενοι ἀσπασάμενοι ασπασαμενος ασπασάμενος ἀσπασάμενος ασπασασθε ασπάσασθε ἀσπάσασθε ασπασησθε ασπάσησθε ἀσπάσησθε ασπασόμενοι ησπαζοντο ησπάζοντο ἠσπάζοντο ησπάσαντο ησπασατο ησπάσατο ἠσπάσατο apespasametha apespasámetha apēspasametha apēspasámetha Aspasai Áspasai aspasamenoi aspasámenoi aspasamenos aspasámenos aspasasthe aspásasthe aspasesthe aspasēsthe aspásesthe aspásēsthe aspazesthai aspázesthai Aspazetai Aspázetai Aspázetaí aspazomai aspázomai Aspazontai Aspázontai Aspázontaí aspazou aspázou espasato espásato ēspasato ēspásato espazonto espázonto ēspazonto ēspázonto
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 5:47 V-ASM-2P
GRK: καὶ ἐὰν ἀσπάσησθε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς
NAS: If you greet only your brothers,
KJV: And if ye salute your brethren
INT: and if you greet the brothers

Matthew 10:12 V-AMM-2P
GRK: τὴν οἰκίαν ἀσπάσασθε αὐτήν
NAS: the house, give it your greeting.
KJV: into an house, salute it.
INT: the house greet it

Mark 9:15 V-IIM/P-3P
GRK: καὶ προστρέχοντες ἠσπάζοντο αὐτόν
NAS: and [began] running up to greet Him.
KJV: and running to [him] saluted him.
INT: and running to [him] greeted him

Mark 15:18 V-PNM/P
GRK: καὶ ἤρξαντο ἀσπάζεσθαι αὐτόν Χαῖρε
NAS: and they began to acclaim Him, Hail,
KJV: And began to salute him, Hail,
INT: and they began to salute him Hail

Luke 1:40 V-AIM-3S
GRK: Ζαχαρίου καὶ ἠσπάσατο τὴν Ἐλισάβετ
NAS: of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
KJV: of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
INT: of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth

Luke 10:4 V-ASM-2P
GRK: τὴν ὁδὸν ἀσπάσησθε
NAS: no shoes; and greet no one on the way.
KJV: shoes: and salute no man by
INT: the road greet

Acts 18:22 V-APM-NMS
GRK: ἀναβὰς καὶ ἀσπασάμενος τὴν ἐκκλησίαν
NAS: he went up and greeted the church,
KJV: and saluted the church,
INT: having gone up and having greeted the church

Acts 20:1 V-APM-NMS
GRK: καὶ παρακαλέσας ἀσπασάμενος ἐξῆλθεν πορεύεσθαι
NAS: and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he left
KJV: and embraced [them], and departed
INT: and having encouraged [and] having said farewell went away to go

Acts 21:6 V-AIM-1P
GRK: ἀπησπασάμεθα ἀλλήλους καὶ
KJV: And when we had taken our leave one of another,
INT: having said farewell to one another then

Acts 21:7 V-APM-NMP
GRK: Πτολεμαΐδα καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς
NAS: at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren,
KJV: and saluted the brethren,
INT: Ptolemais and having greeted the brothers

Acts 21:19 V-APM-NMS
GRK: καὶ ἀσπασάμενος αὐτοὺς ἐξηγεῖτο
NAS: After he had greeted them, he [began] to relate
KJV: And when he had saluted them,
INT: And having greeted them he related

Acts 25:13 V-APM-NMP
GRK: εἰς Καισάρειαν ἀσπασάμενοι τὸν Φῆστον
NAS: at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus.
KJV: unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
INT: to Ceasarea having saluted Festus

Romans 16:3 V-AMM-2P
GRK: Ἀσπάσασθε Πρίσκαν καὶ
NAS: Greet Prisca and Aquila,
KJV: Greet Priscilla and
INT: greet Prisca and

Romans 16:5 V-AMM-2P
GRK: αὐτῶν ἐκκλησίαν ἀσπάσασθε Ἐπαίνετον τὸν
NAS: that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus,
KJV: their house. Salute my wellbeloved
INT: of them church greet Epaenetus the

Romans 16:6 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἀσπάσασθε Μαρίαν ἥτις
NAS: Greet Mary, who
KJV: Greet Mary, who
INT: greet Mary who

Romans 16:7 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἀσπάσασθε Ἀνδρόνικον καὶ
NAS: Greet Andronicus and Junias,
KJV: Salute Andronicus and
INT: greet Andronicus and

Romans 16:8 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἀσπάσασθε Ἀμπλιᾶτον τὸν
NAS: Greet Ampliatus, my beloved
KJV: Greet Amplias my
INT: greet Ampliatus

Romans 16:9 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἀσπάσασθε Οὐρβανὸν τὸν
NAS: Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker
KJV: Salute Urbane, our
INT: greet Urbanus the

Romans 16:10 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἀσπάσασθε Ἀπελλῆν τὸν
NAS: Greet Apelles, the approved
KJV: Salute Apelles approved
INT: greet Apelles the

Romans 16:10 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἐν Χριστῷ ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἐκ
NAS: in Christ. Greet those
KJV: in Christ. Salute them which are of
INT: in Christ greet those of

Romans 16:11 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἀσπάσασθε Ἡρῳδίωνα τὸν
NAS: Greet Herodion, my kinsman.
KJV: Salute Herodion my
INT: greet Herodion the

Romans 16:11 V-AMM-2P
GRK: συγγενῆ μου ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἐκ
NAS: my kinsman. Greet those
KJV: my kinsman. Greet them that be of
INT: kinsman of me greet those of

Romans 16:12 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἀσπάσασθε Τρύφαιναν καὶ
NAS: Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa,
KJV: Salute Tryphena and
INT: greet Tryphaena and

Romans 16:12 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἐν κυρίῳ ἀσπάσασθε Περσίδα τὴν
NAS: in the Lord. Greet Persis
KJV: the Lord. Salute the beloved
INT: in [the] Lord greet Persis the

Romans 16:13 V-AMM-2P
GRK: ἀσπάσασθε Ῥοῦφον τὸν
NAS: Greet Rufus, a choice man
KJV: Salute Rufus chosen
INT: greet Rufus the

Strong's Greek 782
60 Occurrences


ἀπησπασάμεθα — 1 Occ.
Ἄσπασαι — 2 Occ.
ἀσπασάμενοι — 3 Occ.
ἀσπασάμενος — 3 Occ.
ἀσπάσασθε — 24 Occ.
ἀσπάσησθε — 2 Occ.
ἀσπάζεσθαι — 1 Occ.
Ἀσπάζεται — 11 Occ.
ἀσπάζομαι — 1 Occ.
Ἀσπάζονται — 9 Occ.
ἀσπάζου — 1 Occ.
ἠσπάσατο — 1 Occ.
ἠσπάζοντο — 1 Occ.

781
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