Embrace

EMBRACE [ISBE]

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 (Gen 29:13; 33:4; 48:10; 2 Ki 4:16; Song 2:6; 8:3; compare Acts 20:10), and (2) to have sexual intercourse (Prov 4:8; 5:20; Eccl 3:5). It seems to have acquired this technical sense in later Jewish usage.