Lexical Definition

‎ἐμβατεύω‎ embateúō (em-bat-yoo'-o) to investigate ^G:V
from ‎ἐν‎ and a presumed derivative of the base of ‎βάσις‎

intrude into.

• equivalent to ‎ἐμβαίνω‎
• to intrude on (figuratively)

Abbott-Smith

ἐμβατεύω [in LXX: c. acc, Jos 19:49 (נָחַל, Jos 19:51 (חָלַק pi.); seq. εἰς, I Mac 12:25 13:20 14:31 15:40; metaph., II Mac 2:30 * ;] (< ἐμβάτης < ἐμβαίνω)
1. to step in or on (Soph.), hence
(a) to frequent, haunt, dwell in (Æsch., Eur.); metaph., Col 2:18 (dwelling in, R, txt.; taking, R, mg.);
(b) to invade (1Mac, ll c.; metaph., Col, l.c.).
2. to enter on, come into possession of (Eur., Dem.; LXX, Jos, ll. c.); on the difficulties of reading and interpretation in this passage, v. Lft, Col., 194 f., 252; ICC, 268 ff.; Field, Notes, 197; Milligan, NTD, 177; and for exx. from π., MM, Exp., xii (cf. κενεμβ.).†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἐμβατεύω-εύω,

step in or on, frequent, haunt: with accusative, of tutelary gods, νῆσος.. ἣν ὁ φιλόχορος Πὰν ἐμβατεύει [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with genitive, in simple sense, set foot upon, μήτ᾽ ἐμβατεύειν πατρίδος [Refs 5th c.BC+]: absolutely, enter a sacred cave, [Refs]

__II ἐ. κλήρους χθονός enter on, come into possession of, [LXX+5th c.BC+] enter on possession of the vessel, [Refs 4th c.BC+]: absolutely, enter on an inheritance, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2 metaphorically, νέων ψυχάς [Refs 4th c.AD+]
__III mount, cover, of the male, [Refs 4th c.AD+]
__IV to be initiated into the mysteries, [NT]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Josh.19.49 ☩ Col.2.18}