Greek word · G6076
προσκλίνω
prosklinō
to lean toward
Literally "to lean toward". Used figuratively it means to side with someone or attach yourself to a person or party (BDAG s.v.). Polybius and other Hellenistic Greek writers use it for joining a faction.
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
προσ-κλίνω
[in LXX: 2Ma.14:24 * ;]
1. to make to lean against.
2. to make the scale incline one way or another; hence, metaphorically, of persons, to incline (sc. ἑαυτόν) towards: pass., Acts 5:36.†
(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
Literally "to lean toward". Used figuratively it means to side with someone or attach yourself to a person or party (BDAG s.v.). Polybius and other Hellenistic Greek writers use it for joining a faction.
- Against the English
"Joined" (BSB, KJV, WEB) is right, but it loses the picture of people leaning toward a leader, a shift of loyalty rather than formal membership. The later Greek reading behind the KJV, προσεκολλήθη, means "were glued to", which is stronger.
- Used elsewhere in the period
This is its only use in the New Testament. In 1 Clement 47.3–4 the related noun πρόσκλισις means "partisanship", the factions at Corinth.
Similar words
Where it appears
Acts · 1
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Acts 5:36 προσεκλίθη were joined
Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
Here: Literally "leaned toward": they sided with him and joined him. This is its only use in the New Testament. The verb is singular because its subject is "a number".
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.