ἀσπάζομαι

(imperfect ἠσπαζομην); 1 aorist ἠσπασαμην; (from σπάω with ἆ intensive (which see, but cf. Vanicek, p. 1163; Curtius, Das Verbum, i. 324f); hence, properly, to draw to oneself (Winers Grammar, § 38, 7 at the end); cf. ἀσκαίρω for σκαίρω, ἀσπαίρω for σπαίρω, ἀσπαρίζω for σπαρίζω); (from Homer down);
a. with an accusative of the person, to salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to (the Israelites, on meeting and at parting, generally used the formula לְך שָׁלום); used of those accosting anyone: Mt 10:12; Mk 9:15; Mk 15:18; Lk 1:40; Acts 21:19. of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing almost immediately afterward: Acts 18:22; Acts 21:7; like the Latinsalutare, our 'pay one's respects to,' of those who show regard for a distinguished person by visiting him: Acts 25:13 (Josephus, Antiquities 1, 19, 5; 6, 11, 1). of those who greet one whom they meet in the way: Mt 5:47 (in the East even now Christians and Mohammedans do not salute each other); Lk 10:4 (as a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing and kissing, a journey was retarded by saluting frequently). of those departing and bidding farewell: Acts 20:1; Acts 21:6 (R G). of the absent, saluting by letter: Rom 16:3, Rom 16:5-23; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Cor 13:12 (13); Phm 4:21; Col 4:10-12, Col 4:14; 1 Thess 5:26, etc. ἐν φιλήματι: Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Pet 5:14.
b. with an accusative of the thing, to receive joyfully, welcome: τάς ἐπαγγελίας, Heb 11:13 (τήν συμφοράν, Euripides, Ion 587; τήν εὔνοιαν, Josephus, Antiquities 6, 5, 3; τούς λόγους, ibid. 7, 8, 4; sosaluto, Vergil Aen. 3, 524). (Compare: ἀπασπάζομαι.)