Quick Definition
δέχομαι v. I take, receive, accept, welcome
Strong's Definition
middle voice of a primary verb; to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
KJV Usage: accept, receive, take. Compare 2983
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | pf.3sg. δέδεκται | ἀδόκιμος · ἀναδέχομαι · ἀνένδεκτος · ἀπεκδέχομαι · ἀπόδεκτος · ἀποδέχομαι · ἀποδοκιμάζω · ἀποδοχή · δεκτός · διαδέχομαι · διάδοχος · δοκιμάζω · δοκιμασία · δοκιμή · δοκίμιον · δόκιμος · δοχή · εἰσδέχομαι · ἐκδέχομαι · ἐκδοχή · ἐνδέχεται · ἐπιδέχομαι · εὐπρόσδεκτος · ξενοδοχέω · πανδοχεῖον · πανδοχεύς · παραδέχομαι · προσδέχομαι · ὑποδέχομαι
57.125 · Possess, Transfer, Exchange · Receive
to receive, receiving, to accept 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
ACT 3:21 · ACT 7:38 · ACT 7:59 · ACT 22:5 · ACT 28:21 · 1CO 2:14 · 2CO 6:1 · 2CO 8:17 · PHP 4:18 · 1TH 1:6 · 1TH 2:13 · JAS 1:21
34.53 · Association · Welcome, Receive
to welcome, to receive, to accept, to have as a guest to accept the presence of a person with friendliness
MAT 10:14 · MAT 10:40 · MAT 10:40 · MAT 10:40 · MAT 10:40 · MAT 10:41 · MAT 10:41 · MAT 18:5 · MAT 18:5 · MRK 6:11 · MRK 9:37 · MRK 9:37 · MRK 9:37 · MRK 9:37 · LUK 2:28 · LUK 9:5 · LUK 9:48 · LUK 9:48 · LUK 9:48 · LUK 9:48 · LUK 9:53 · LUK 10:8 · LUK 10:10 · LUK 16:4 · LUK 16:9 · JHN 4:45 · 2CO 7:15 · 2CO 11:16 · GAL 4:14 · COL 4:10 · HEB 11:31 · JAS 1:21
31.51 · Hold a View, Believe, Trust · Accept As True
to receive readily, to accept, to believe to readily receive information and to regard it as true
MAT 11:14 · MRK 10:15 · LUK 8:13 · LUK 18:17 · ACT 8:14 · ACT 11:1 · ACT 17:11 · 1CO 2:14 · 2CO 11:4 · 1TH 1:6 · 1TH 2:13 · 2TH 2:10
18.1 · Attachment · Grasp, Hold
to take hold of, to grasp, to grab to take hold of something or someone, with or without force 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.
1 There may be some subtle distinction in meaning between δέχομαι[a] on the one hand and λαμβάνω[c] and λῆμψις on the other, in that the latter set of meanings may imply more active participation on the part of the one who receives or takes the gift, but this cannot be determined from existing contexts. 2 There are no doubt certain contextual constraints involved in the choice of ἀναδέχομαι[a], ἀποδέχομαι[a], ἐπιδέχομαι[a], εἰσδέχομαι, ὑποδέχομαι, προσδέχομαι[b], and παραδέχομαι[b] in the sense that the spacial relationships involved in the welcoming of a guest can be reflected in the prepositional prefixes. For example, in LUK 8:40 the use of ἀποδέχομαι may focus upon the particular source, while ἐπιδέχομαι in 3JN 1:10 may be relevant in view of the fact that the believers are coming to a particular point. προσδέχομαι in LUK 15:2 may suggest a kind of reciprocal relationship which is established with outcasts, and παραδέχομαι in ACT 15:4 may simply point to spacial proximity. However, it would be wrong to insist upon clear distinctions in meaning based on the very limited number of contexts involved. Some of these same distinctions in spacial relations may exist for the set προσλαμβάνω[e], παραλαμβάνω[d], ἀπολαμβάνω[d]. 3 LUK 22:17 It is possible that δέχομαι in LUK 22:17 may mean ‘to receive’ (see 57.125).
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
δέχομαι dechomai 56x
to take into one’s hands, etc., Lk. 2:28; 16:6, 7; to receive, Acts 22:5; 28:21; Phil. 4:18; to receive into and retain, contain, Acts 3:21; met. to receive by the hearing, learn, acquire a knowledge of, 2 Cor. 11:4; Jas. 1:21; to receive, admit, grant access to, receive kindly, welcome, Mt. 10:40, 41; 18:5; to receive in hospitality, entertain, Lk. 9:53; Heb. 11:31; to bear with, bear patiently, 2 Cor. 11:16; met. to receive, approve, assent to, Mt. 11:14; Lk. 8:13; Acts 8:14; 11:1; to admit, and by impl. to embrace, follow, 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 8:17
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
δέχομαι, depon. mid.,
[in LXX chiefly for לקח ;]
to receive, accept;
c. acc rei, of taking or accepting what is offered: γράμματα, Lk 16:6, 7; id. in different sense, Ac 28:21; ποτήριον, Lk 22:17; παιδίον (εἰς τ. ἀγκάλας), Lk 2:28; περικεφαλαίαν, μάχαιραν, Eph 6:17; ἐπιστολάς, Ac 22:5; τ. βασιλείαν τ. Θεοῦ, Mk 10:15, Lk 18:17; λογία ζῶντα, Ac 7:38; εὐαγγέλιον, II Co 11:4; τ. χάριν τ. Θεοῦ, II Co 6:1; metaph., of mental acceptance, Mt 11:14; τ. λόγον, Lk 8:13, Ac 8:14 11:1 17:11, I Th 1:6 2:13, Ja 1:21; τὰ τ. πνεύματος, I Co 2:14; τ. παράκλησιν, II Co 8:17; τ. ἀγάπην τ. ἀληθείας, II Th 2:10.
C. acc pers., of receiving kindly or hospitably, Mt 10:14, 40, 41, Mk 6:11, Lk 9:5, 53 10:8, 10, Jo 4:45, II Co 7:15 11:16, Ga 4:14, Col 4:10, He 11:31; παιδίον, Mt 18:5, Mk 9:37, Lk 9:48; εἰς οἴκους, σκηνάς, Lk 16:4, 9; δέξαι τ. πνεῦμά μου, Ac 7:59; ὃν δεῖ οὐρανὸν δέασθαι, Ac 3:21 (cf. ἀνα-, ἀπο, δια-, εἰσ-, ἐκ-, ἀπ-εκ-, ἐν-, ἐπι-, παρα-, προσ-, ὑπο-δέχομαι; Cremer, 174).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
δέχομαι. This common verb hardly needs illustration, but we may note P Hib I. 70 (a)? (Bc. 229-8) δέξαι παρὰ Ζωίλου . . . (δραχμὰς) δέκα, P Tebt 11. 2811 (p.c. 125) δέδεγμαι παρὰ σοῦ ἐκ πλήρους ἄνευ παντὸς λοιπήματος, “1 have received from you the sum in full without any arrears” (Edd.), tb. 422" (iii/A.p,) δέξε map’ αὐτοῦ tas (δραχμὰς) p, and from the early Christian letter P Heid 629 (iv/a.D.) (= Selections, p. 127) καταξίωσον δέξεσθαι τὸ μικρὸν ἐλέου διὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ ἡμῶν Μαγαρίου. It is often ured of receiving letters, as P Flor 11. 1542 (a.D. 268) ἅμα τῷ δέξασθαί μου τὰ [γράμματα δήλωσόν μοι κτὰλ., BGU IV. 1208** (B.c. 27) αὐτὸ (sc. τὸ πιττάκιον) ἐδεξάμην, where it seems to imply (ΕἾ accepted it.” Abbott (Jok. Voc. p. 220, Fourfold Gospel p. 229) has drawn attention to the fact that δέχομαι occurs only once in the Fourth Gospel, 4*°, where it is used of the Galilwans’ [hospitable] reception of Jesus in His native place. When Jn (137°) gives a version of the Logion of Mt 10%, he substitutes 6 λαμβάνων for ὁ δεχόμενος, the inferiority of which as Greek is sufficient evidence of its independence. Aéxopat with a personal object may be quoted
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
δέχομαι (dechomai) — to receive. δέχομαι, Ionic dialect, Aeolic dialect, Cretan dialect δέκομαι, [Refs 7th c.BC+], imperfect ἐδεκόμην [Refs 5th c.BC+]future δέξομαι, Epic dialect also δεδέξομαι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; δεχθήσομαι (in passive sense) [LXX]: aorist ἐδεξάμην [Refs 8th c.BC+]; also ἐδέχθην (ὑπ-) [Refs 5th c.BC+]: perfect δέδεγμαι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; imperative δεδεξο [Refs 8th c.BC+]; Ionic dialect 3rd.pers. plural ἀπο-δεδέχαται [Refs 8th c.BC+] also has Epic dialect imperfect ἐδέγμην [Refs 8th c.BC+], 3rd.pers. singular δέκτο [Refs 8th c.BC+]; infinitive δέχθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]; participle δέγμενος [Refs 8th c.BC+]; also a 3rd.pers. plural present δέχαται [Refs 8th c.BC+]; compare προτίδεγμαι, and see at {δεδοκημένος}:—
I. of things as the object, take, accept, receive, etc., ἄποινα [Refs 8th c.BC+]; δ. τί τινι receive something at the hand of another, δέξατό οἱ σκῆπτρον πατρώϊον [Refs 8th c.BC+]; accept as legal tender, ὀδελός [Refs]; τι παρά τινος [Refs 8th c.BC+]; also δ. τί τινος receive in exchange for.., χρυσὸν φίλου ἀνδρὸς ἐδέξατο [Refs 8th c.BC+]; choose, τι δ. πρό τινος [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with infinitive, prefer, δεξαίμην ἂν πάσας τὰς ἀσπίδας ἐρριφέναι ἢ.. [Refs 5th c.BC+]
I. b catch, as in a vessel, ὀπὸν.. κάδοις δ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]
I.2. of mental reception, take, accept without complaint, χαλεπόν περ ἐόντα δεχώμεθα μῦθον [Refs 8th c.BC+]
I.2. b accept graciously, τοῦτο δ᾽ ἐγὼ πρόφρων δ. [Refs]; of the gods, ἀλλ᾽ ὅ γε δέκτο μὲν ἱρά [Refs]; προσφιλῶς γέρα δ., of one dead, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὸ χρησθέν, τὸν οἰωνὸν δ., accept, hail the oracle, the omen, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; accept, approve, τὸν λόγον, ξυμμαχίαν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; διδόναι καὶ δέχεσθαι τὰ δίκαια[Refs]; δέχεσθαι ὅρκον, see at {ὅρκος}; accept a confession, and so forgive, ἀδικίαν [LXX]
I.2. c simply, give ear to, hear, ὠσὶν ἠχήν [Refs 5th c.BC+]
I.2. d take or regard as so and so, μηδὲ συμφορὰν δέχου τὸν ἄνδρα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; understand in a certain sense, ὅπῃ βούλει δέξασθαι ταύτῃ δέχου [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with infinitive, κῶλά με δέξαι νυνὶ λέγειν [Refs 1st c.BC+]
I.2. e cap verses, σκόλια δ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]
I.3. take upon oneself, τὴν δαπάνην [Refs 2nd c.BC+]: with infinitive, undertake, [Refs]
II. of persons as the object, welcome, κόλπῳ [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἐν μεγάροισι, ἐν δόμοισιν, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; στέγαις, πυρὶ δ. τινά, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τῇ τόλει δ. to admit into the city, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀγορᾷ, ἄστει δ., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; δ. τινὰ ξύμμαχον accept or admit as an ally, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; accept as security, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; entertain, δείπνοις [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.2. receive as an enemy, await the attack of, ἐπιόντα δ. δουρί [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of a hunter waiting for game, [Refs]; of a wild boar waiting for the hunters, [Refs]; of troops, εἰς χεῖρας δ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.3. expect, wait, with accusative et future infinitive, ἀλλ᾽ αἰεί τινα φῶτα.. ἐδέγμην ἐνθάδ᾽ ἐλεύσεσθαι [Refs 8th c.BC+]—In these two last senses, [Refs 8th c.BC+]future δεδέξομαι, perfect δέδεγμαι, and δεδεγμένος,[Refs 3rd c.BC+]infinitive δειδέχθαι as imperative, expect, with genitive, βορέω [Refs 4th c.BC+]
III. rarely with a thing as the subject, occupy, engage one, τίς ἀρχὰ δέξατο ναυτιλίας [αὐτούς]; [Refs 5th c.BC+]
III.2. receive, hold, τὴν τροφήν [Refs 4th c.BC+]
III.3. admit of, ψεῦδος οὐδὲν δ. ἁ τῶ ἀριθμῶ φύσις [Refs 5th c.BC+]
III.4. Geometry texts, contain, circum-scribe, γωνίας ἴσας [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
IV. intransitive, succeed, come next, ὥς μοι δέχεται κακὸν ἐκ κακοῦ αἰεί [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of places, ἐκ τοῦ στεινοῦ τὸ Ἀρτεμίσιον δέκεται [Refs 5th c.BC+] is probably the original form, cf. Slavonic desiti, dositi 'find'.)