Greek word · G4347

προσκολλάω

proskollaō

to join

Literally to glue or cement one thing to another (from kolla, 'glue'). Figuratively, to attach oneself closely and loyally to someone. The passive can mean 'be joined' or 'attach oneself' (BDAG).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

προσ-κολλάω, -ῶ,

[in LXX chiefly for דָּבַק ;]

to glue to; pass., reflexive, to stick to, cleave to (Plat.): metaphorically (with dative, Joshua 23:8, Sirach 6:34 al.), before πρός, Mark 10:7 (R, txt.), Ephesians 5:31 (LXX).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Ephesians 5:31

Range of meaning

Literally to glue or cement one thing to another (from kolla, 'glue'). Figuratively, to attach oneself closely and loyally to someone. The passive can mean 'be joined' or 'attach oneself' (BDAG).

Against the English

KJV, NASB, WEB 'be joined'; NIV, BSB 'be united'; ESV 'hold fast.' All are accurate. 'Joined/united' keeps the passive form but can sound like a formal ceremony. 'Hold fast' brings out the clinging but makes the man the active subject.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament, kollaō and proskollaō translate Hebrew dabaq. It is used physically (a tongue sticking to the roof of the mouth, Ps 22:15; fish sticking to scales, Ezek 29:4) and for covenant loyalty ('to him you shall cling,' Deut 10:20; compare Deut 11:22; 13:4). Ruth 'clung' to Naomi with the same Hebrew verb (Ruth 1:14). Paul uses the simple kollaō in 1 Cor 6:16–17: joined to a prostitute is one body, joined to the Lord is one spirit.

Similar words

Where it appears

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 10:7 προσκολληθήσεται will be joined

    ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

Ephesians · 1

  1. Ephesians 5:31 προσκολληθήσεται will be joined

    “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

    Here: Future passive, 'will be glued to / will attach himself to.' The root is kolla, 'glue.' It translates Hebrew dabaq, 'cling,' which is also used for Israel's loyal clinging to God. The picture is a bond that does not come apart.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.