Greek word · G43
ἀγκάλη
ankalē
arm
The arm bent at the elbow, the inner curve of the arm. In the plural, "arms" as used for holding or embracing (BDAG s.v. ἀγκάλη; LSJ).
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
ἀγκάλη,-ης, ἡ
(ἄγκος, a bend), [in LXX for אַצִּיל, חֵיק ;]
the bent arm: Luke 2:28 (cf. ἐναγκαλίζομαι).†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
The arm bent at the elbow, the inner curve of the arm. In the plural, "arms" as used for holding or embracing (BDAG s.v. ἀγκάλη; LSJ).
- Against the English
"Arms" is accurate. The Greek is more specific, though: it means the cradling bend of the arms, not arms in general.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Appears only here in the New Testament. In the Septuagint it describes holding a baby against the body, as in 3 Kingdoms (1 Kings) 3:20, where a mother lays a child in her arms or bosom. Mark uses the related verb enankalizomai for Jesus taking children "in his arms" (Mark 9:36; 10:16).
Where it appears
Luke · 1
-
Luke 2:28 ἀγκάλας arms
Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:
Here: Not the arm in general but the curve of the bent arm, the cradle you hold a baby in. This word appears only here in the New Testament. It pictures Simeon holding the child close against his chest.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.