ISBE
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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia · 1915

Embrace

em-bras':

The word has two distinct meanings in the Old Testament:

(1) to clasp and hold fondly in the arms, pointing to a common custom (Genesis 29:13; 33:4; 48:10; 2 Kings 4:16; Song of Solomon 2:6; 8:3 compare Acts 20:10), and

(2) to have sexual intercourse (Proverbs 4:8; 5:20; Ecclesiastes 3:5). It seems to have acquired this technical sense in later Jewish usage.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, James Orr, general editor (Chicago: Howard-Severance, 1915). Public domain. Text as published by biblestudytools.com. From the Encyclosphere, the open network of encyclopedias run by the Knowledge Standards Foundation. Changed for Deep Dive Bible: links to 1, 2, and 3 John that our source pointed at the Gospel of John corrected; our source’s section marks set as headings.