Bible Dictionary
EMBRACE
To clasp and hold someone fondly in the arms, as an expression of affection. In some biblical passages it also refers to sexual relations.
Definition
To embrace is either to clasp and hold someone fondly in the arms or, in some biblical passages, to have sexual intercourse. The surrounding context determines which sense is intended.
Biblical Usage
The affectionate sense appears in accounts of greeting, family affection, and consolation. The sexual sense occurs in passages warning against improper relations or describing marital love. The word therefore may express either physical affection or sexual union.
Historical Background
The sexual meaning appears to have become a technical sense in later Jewish usage. Embracing was also a recognized common custom in the biblical world.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>em-bras': The word has two distinct meanings in the Old Testament:</p><p>(1) to clasp and hold fondly in the arms, pointing to a common custom (Ge 29:13; 33:4; 48:10; 2Ki 4:16; So 2:6; 8:3 compare Ac 20:10), and</p><p>(2) to have sexual intercourse (Pr 4:8; 5:20; Ec 3:5). It seems to have acquired this technical sense in later Jewish usage.</p>