UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to take hold of, to grasp, to grab

Semantic entry: 18.1

Semantic domains: Attachment

Subdomains: Grasp, Hold

Definition: to take hold of something or someone, with or without force

Notes: A number of languages differ radically in terms for ‘taking hold of,’ depending upon whether force is employed, whether the object is a thing or an animate being, and whether the language incorporates into a verb of ‘taking hold of’ a classification as to the objects involved, for example, long and thin, round and flat, ball-like, angular, or lumpy.

Sense 2: to take, to acquire, to obtain

Semantic entry: 57.55

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Take, Obtain, Gain, Lose

Definition: to acquire possession of something{N:001}

Notes: In some languages ‘take’ in RV MAT 5:40 · LV MAT 5:40 · Read together MAT 5:40 may be best rendered as ‘go away with’ or ‘put it on as his own.’

Sense 3: to receive, receiving, to accept

Semantic entry: 57.125

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Receive

Definition: to receive or accept an object or benefit for which the initiative rests with the giver, but the focus of attention in the transfer is upon the receiver{N:002}

Sense 4: to receive (interest), to collect (taxes)

Semantic entry: 57.65

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Take, Obtain, Gain, Lose

Definition: to collect what is due (normally in terms of taxes and interest), with the possible implication of extortion (as in RV LUK 3:13 · LV LUK 3:13 · Read together LUK 3:13)

Sense 5: to choose, to select, to prefer

Semantic entry: 30.86

Semantic domains: Think

Subdomains: To Choose, To Select, To Prefer

Definition: to make a choice of one or more possible alternatives

Notes: In a number of languages the choice of terms or expressions for ‘choosing’ or ‘selecting’ often depends upon either (1) what is chosen or selected or (2) the purpose for such a choice, for example, personal pleasure, rational evaluation, or outright prejudice.|It is also possible to interpret λαμβάνω in RV HEB 5:1 · LV HEB 5:1 · Read together HEB 5:1 as meaning ‘to acquire, to obtain’ (see λαμβάνω[b], 57.55: λαμβάνω).

Sense 6: to accept, to receive, to come to believe

Semantic entry: 31.50

Semantic domains: Hold a View, Believe, Trust

Subdomains: Accept As True

Definition: to come to believe something and to act in accordance with such a belief

Sense 7: to exploit by deception, to take advantage of by trickery

Semantic entry: 88.146

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Exploit

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of λαμβάνω[a] ‘to take hold,’ 18.1: δέχομαι / 18.1: λαμβάνω) to take advantage of someone by trickery or deception

Sense 8: to undergo, to experience

Semantic entry: 90.63

Semantic domains: Case

Subdomains: Experiencer

Definition: to experience some event or state, often with the implication of something negatively valued{N:003}

Sense 9: to make experience

Semantic entry: 90.85

Semantic domains: Case

Subdomains: To Cause To Experience

Definition: to cause to experience, normally implying something grievous

Notes: It is, of course, possible to understand λαμβάνω in RV MRK 14:65 · LV MRK 14:65 · Read together MRK 14:65 in a more or less literal sense (see 18.1: δέχομαι / 18.1: λαμβάνω) and thus to translate this expression as ‘the guards took him and slapped him.’

Sense 10: to put on

Semantic entry: 49.10

Semantic domains: Activities Involving Clothing and Adorning

Definition: to put on an article of clothing

Sense 11: to do, to make

Semantic entry: 90.48

Semantic domains: Case

Subdomains: Agent of a Numerable Event

Definition: a marker of an agent relation with numerable events, with the implication of having assumed some initiative

Sense 12: to become a king

Semantic entry: 37.65

Semantic domains: Control, Rule

Subdomains: Rule, Govern

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to take a rule, to receive a rule) to receive from someone else the power or authority to reign as a king

Collocations: λαμβάνω βασιλείαν

Sense 13: to become confident, to take courage

Semantic entry: 25.157

Semantic domains: Attitudes and Emotions

Subdomains: Courage, Boldness

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to take courage) to become confident or courageous in the face of real or possible danger

Collocations: λαμβάνω θάρσος

Sense 14: to show favoritism, to be partial, partiality

Semantic entry: 88.238

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Show Favoritism, Prejudice

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to take face) to make unjust distinctions between people by treating one person better than another

Notes: ‘To show favoritism’ or ‘to be partial’ is expressed in an idiomatic manner in some languages, for example, ‘to look only upon a person’s face,’ ‘to call a sparrow a chicken,’ or ‘to give one’s clansman the best piece of meat.’

Collocations: λαμβάνω πρόσωπον

Sense 15: to be prepared to suffer even unto death, to take up one’s cross

Semantic entry: 24.83

Semantic domains: Sensory Events and States

Subdomains: Pain, Suffering

Definition: (a productive idiomatic expression, literally: to take one’s cross) to be prepared to endure severe suffering, even to the point of death

Notes: The idiom ‘to carry one’s cross’ or ‘to take up one’s cross’ involves a number of important features of meaning. Unfortunately, this expression is frequently not understood correctly by many people who hear it or even use it. One reason for this is the actual absence of crucifixion in modern society. If a literal translation is to be employed, then some marginal note will probably be necessary in order to indicate clearly the full implications of such a statement.

Collocations: λαμβάνω τὸν σταυρόν

Sense 16: to try, to attempt

Semantic entry: 68.58

Semantic domains: Aspect

Subdomains: Try, Attempt

Definition: to attempt to do something, with the implication of not succeeding{N:006}

Notes: In a number of languages expressions such as πειράζω[d], πειράομαι, and πεῖραν λαμβάνω may be expressed as to start to do something, but not be able to or to think that one can do something, but discover it is impossible.

Collocations: πεῖραν λαμβάνω