Quick Definition
ἅπτω v. I kindle, light
Strong's Definition
a primary verb; properly, to fasten to, i.e. (specially) to set on fire
KJV Usage: kindle, light
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | aor.ptc. περιάψας | ἅπτω
14.65 · Physical Events and States · Burning
to ignite, to kindle, to set ablaze, to start a fire, to light a lamp to cause the process of burning to begin As already noted in the series of terms listed in 14.63, languages differ appreciably in terms employed for different phases and results of burning. For example, to set something on fire for the sake of providing warmth may be expressed by quite a different term from that which is used in speaking of the process of setting something on fire in order to destroy it.
It is possible that περιάπτω, in view of the prefix περι-, adds a component of ‘round about,’ suggesting that the blaze or fire was for the benefit of those who encircled the fire.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἅπτω:; 1 aor. ptep. ἅψας ; (cf. Lat. apto, Germ. heften) ; [fr. Hom. down]; 1. prop. to fasten to, make adhere to; hence, spec. to fasten fire to a thing, to kindle, set on Jire, (often so in Attic) : λύχνον, Lk. viii. 16 ; xi. 33; xv. 8, (Arstph. nub. 57; Theophr. char. 20 (18); Joseph. antt. 4, 3,4); mip, Lk. xxii. 55 [T Tr txt. WH wepe αψάντων]; πυράν, Acts xxviili.2 LT Tr WH. 2. Mid., [pres. ἅπτομαι]; impf. ἡπτόμην [Mk. vi. 56 RG Tr mrg.]; 1 aor. ἡψάμην; in Sept. generally for 323, 37393; prop. to fasten one’s self to, adhere to, cling to, (Hom. Il. 8, 67); a. to touch, foll. by the obj. in gen. [W. § 80, 8 ο.; B.167 (146); ef. Donaldson p. 483]: Mt. viii. 3; Mk. iii. 10; vii. 33; viii. 22, etc.; Lk. xviii. 15; xxii. 51, very often in Mt., Mk. and Lk. In Jn. xx. 17, μή μου ἅπτου is to be explained thus: Do not handle me to see whether Tam still clothed with a body ; there is no need of such an examination, “for not yet” etc.; cf. Baume:- Crusius and Meyer ad loc. [as given by Hackett in Bib. Sacer. for 1868, p. 779 sq., or B. D. Am. ed. p. 1813 54.1. b. yuvarkos, of carnal intercourse with a woman, or cohabitation, 1 Co. vii. 1, like the Lat. tangere, Hor. sat. 1, 2,54; Ter. Heaut. 4, 4,15, and the Hebr. 33, Gen. xx. 6; Prov. vi. 29, (Plat. de legge. viii. 840 a.; Plut. Alex. Magn. ο. 21). c. with allusion to the levitical precept ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε, have no intercourse with the Gentiles, no fellowship in their heathenish practices, 2 Co. vi. 17 (fr. Is. lii. 11) ; and in the Jewish sense, μὴ ἅψῃ Col. 11. 21 (the things not to be touched appear to be both women and certain kinds of food, so that celibacy and abstinence from various kinds of food and drink are recommended ; cf. De Wette ad loc. [but also Meyer and Bp. Lehtft. ; on the distinction between the stronger term ἅπτεσθαι (to handle?) and the more delicate θιγεῖν (to touch?) cf. the two commentators just named and Trench § xvii. In classic Grk. also ἅπτεσθαι is the stronger term, denoting often to lay hold of, hold fast, appropriate ; in its carnal reference differing from θιγγάνειν by suggesting unlawfulness. θιγγάνειν is used of touching by the hand as a means of knowledge, handling for a purpose; ψηλαφᾶν signifies to feel around with the fingers or hands, esp. in searching for something, often to grope, fumble, ef. ψηλαφίνδα blindman’s buff. Schmidt ch. 10.]). ἅ. to touch i.e. assail: τινός, any one, 1 Jn. v. 18, (1 Chr. xvi. 22, ete.). [Comp. : ἀν-, καθ-, περιτάπτω.]
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἅπτω,
[in LXX chiefly for נגע;]
prop., to fasten to; hence, of fire, to kindle, light: Lk 8:16 11:33 15:8, Ac 28:2. Mid., c. gen., to fasten oneself to, cling to, lay hold of (so in π.; MM, s.v.): Mt 8:3, 15, Jo 20:17, al.; of carnal intercourse, I Co 7:1; with reference to levitical and ceremonial prohibitions, II Co 6:17, Col 2:21; of hostile action, I Jo 5:18 (cf. ἀν-, καθ-, περι- άπτω).
SYN.: θιγγάνω, ψηλαφάω. ἅ. is the stronger, θ., to touch, the lighter term. ψ. is to feel, as in search of something (Tr., Syn., § xvii; Lft., Col., 201 f.).
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἅπτω (haptō) — to touch. ἅπτω, future ἅψω: aorist ἧψα:—passive, perfect ἧμμαι, Ionic dialect ἅμμαι[Refs 5th c.BC+]: future ἅψομαι[Refs 8th c.BC+] (συν-) [Refs 2nd c.AD+] —middle, see.below (compare ἑάφθη):—fasten or bind to, used by [Refs 8th c.BC+]active, ἅψας ἀμφοτέρωθεν.. ἔντερον οἰός (of a lyre-string) [Refs 8th c.BC+]; once in middle, ἁψαμένη βρόχον.. ἀφ᾽ ὑψηλοῖο μελάθρου having fastened the noose to the beam (to hang herself), [Refs]; so later ἅψεται ἀμφὶ βρόχον.. δείρᾳ[Refs 5th c.BC+]:—active, βρόχους ἅ. κρεμαστούς[Refs 5th c.BC+]
2. join, ἅ. χορόν[Refs 4th c.BC+]; πάλην τινὶ ἅ. fasten a contest in wrestling on one, engage with one, [Refs]: —passive, ἅπτεσθαι τὴν Μεγαρέων πόλιν καὶ Κορινθίων τοῖς τείχεσιν[Refs 4th c.BC+]
II. more frequently in middle, ἅπτομαι, future ἅψομαι, aorist ἡψάμην[Refs 5th c.BC+], with perfect passive ἧμμαι[Refs 5th c.BC+]:—fasten oneself to, grasp, c.genitive, ἅψασθαι γούνων[Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἅπτεσθαί τινος, Latin manus inicere alicui, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τῶν σφυγμῶν feel the pulse, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]: metaphorically, take hold of, cleave to, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II. b absolutely, τῶν μὲν γὰρ πάντων βέλε᾽ ἅπτεται for the spears of all the Trojans reach their mark, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
II. c ἅ. τῆς γῆς land, [Refs 1st c.BC+]
III. metaphorically, engage in, undertake, βουλευμάτων[Refs 5th c.BC+]; πολέμου prosecute it vigorously, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐπιτηδεύματος[Refs 5th c.BC+] attack, impugn the argument of another, [Refs]; τούτων ἥψατο touched on these points, handled them, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; but also, touch on, treat superficially, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
III. b absolutely, begin, set to work, ταῖς διανοίαις[Refs 5th c.BC+]
III.2. fasten upon, attack, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of diseases, ἧπταί μου[Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὅσα ἅπτεται ἀνθρώπων all that feed on human flesh, [Refs]
III.2. b lay hands on, χρημάτων[Refs 5th c.BC+]
III.3. touch, affect, ἄλγος οὐδὲν ἅπτεται νεκροῦ[Refs 5th c.BC+]; make an impression upon, ἡμῶν[Refs 2nd c.BC+]
III.4. grasp with the senses, perceive, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; apprehend, τῆς αἰτίας[Refs 4th c.BC+]
III.5. have intercourse with a woman, [NT+5th c.BC+]
III.6. come up to, reach, overtake, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; attain, τῆς ἀληθείας[Refs 5th c.BC+]; but also with genitive, Ἡρακλέος σταλᾶν[Refs]
III.7. make use of, avail oneself of, τῆς τύχης[Refs 5th c.BC+]
III.8. Geometry texts, of bodies and surfaces, to be in contact, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; of lines or curves, meet, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; touch, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; pass through a point, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; of points, lie on a line or curve,[Refs]; ἅπτεται τὸ σημεῖον θέσει δεδομένης εὐθείας the locus of the point is a given straight line, [Refs 3rd c.AD+] __B active, kindle, set on fire (i.e. by contact of fire), [Refs 5th c.BC+] (so in middle, [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, to be set on fire, ὁ μοχλὸς ἐλάϊνος ἐν πυρὶ μέλλεν ἅψεσθαι[Refs 8th c.BC+]; ὡς ἅφθη τάχιστα τὸ λήιον.. ἅψατο νηοῦ as soon as the corn caught fire, it set fire to the temple, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πυρῆς ἤδη ἁμμένης[Refs 5th c.BC+] __B.II ἅ. πῦρ kindle a fire, [Refs]:—passive, ἄνθρακες ἡμμένοι red-hot embers, [Refs 5th c.BC+] __B.III cook, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]