προσκολλάω (proskollaō)
proskollaō
to join
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb proskollaō literally means to glue something onto a surface. In the New Testament, it describes a bond so tight that two entities become inseparable. This image appears in Mark 10:7 and Ephesians 5:31, where Paul quotes Genesis to describe marriage. He uses this word to show that husband and wife are not merely living together but are fused into a single unit.
Its root combines the preposition pros, meaning "toward," with kollao, meaning "to glue." This etymology highlights an active movement of attachment rather than passive proximity. The sources note its use in the Septuagint for the Hebrew dabaq, which also implies clinging or sticking fast. Translators often render it as "joined" or "cleave," though these English words can sometimes feel gentle compared to the forceful imagery of glue.
This word carries significant theological weight by grounding human relationships in physical reality. By choosing a term associated with adhesive bonding, the text emphasizes that marriage creates a permanent union that cannot be undone by mere legal separation. The focus remains on the unbreakable nature of the bond itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word προσκολλάω (proskollaō) paints a vivid picture of human connection, literally meaning to glue or stick fast to something. In the New Testament, it appears in Mark 10:7 and Ephesians 5:31 to describe marriage. This is not just about two people living under the same roof; it describes a bond so tight that they become one inseparable unit. The image of adhesive bonding suggests permanence and strength, far beyond casual proximity.
For your faith life, this offers a profound reassurance about commitment. When you see relationships as a deliberate joining, it reminds us that unity is an active choice, not just a passive state. Whether you are navigating the joys of marriage or simply seeking deep community, this word invites you to value connections that endure. It encourages a love that sticks through difficulties, reflecting the steadfast nature of God’s own covenant with His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will be joined2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσκολληθήσεται2×
Key Verses
-
Mark 10:7
For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,
This occurrence establishes Jesus’ teaching on marriage by using the word to show that leaving family results in a new, fused union with a spouse.
-
Ephesians 5:31
“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.”
Paul quotes Genesis here to illustrate how Christ’s relationship with the church mirrors the permanent, glued-together nature of marital union.