Lexical Definition

‎θάλπω‎ thálpō (thal'-po) to care for ^G:V
probably akin to (to warm)

cherish.

• to brood, i.e. (figuratively) to foster

Abbott-Smith

θάλπω, [in LXX for סכן, etc.;]
to heat, warm; metaph.,
(a) to inflame (Trag.);
(b) to foster, cherish: Eph 5:29, I Th 2:7.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

θάλπω-ω,

future -ψω[Refs 4th c.AD+]: future middle in passive sense θάλψομαι [Refs]:—heat, soften by heat, [Refs 8th c.BC+]:—passive, ἐτήκετο κασσίτερος ὣς.. θαλφθείς [Refs 8th c.BC+]: metaphorically, to be softened, deceived, αἴ κε μὴ θαλφθῇ λόγοις [Refs 5th c.BC+]

__II heat, warm, without any notion of softening, καῦμ᾽ ἔθαλπε (i.e. ἡμᾶς) [Refs 5th c.BC+]; θερμὴ ἡμᾶς ἀκτὶς θ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; keep warm, χλανιδίων ἐρειπίοις θάλπωουσα καὶ ψύχουσα [Refs], of an idle life, [θάλπωουσαν εὖ [prev. work] 129 ">Refs 3rd c.BC+]:—passive, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; θάλπωεσθαι τοῦ θέρους to be warm in summer, [θάλπωεσθαι">Refs 5th c.BC+] to be alive, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2 warm at the fire, dry, θάλπωεται ῥάκη [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.3 hatch, ᾠά [Refs]: so absolutely, sit, [Refs]; θ. ἐπὶ τῶν νοσσῶν, ἐπὶ τῶν ᾠῶν, [LXX]
__III metaphorically, of passion, heat, inflame, ἣ Διὸς θάλπωει κέαρ ἔρωτι [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἔθαλψεν ἄτης σπασμός [Refs]:—passive, ἱμέρου βέλει τεθάλφθαι πρός τινος [Refs 4th c.BC+]; θάλπωῃ (2nd pers. singular) ἀνηκέστῳ πυρί [θάλπωεταί τι τῶν ἔνδον 3rd c.BC: Herodas Mimographus 2.81. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.2 comfort, ὕπνος.. θάλπωει κέαρ [Refs 5th c.BC+].; cherish, foster, ἄλλον θάλπωε φίλον [θάλπωῃ τὰ ἑαυτῆς τέκνα NT.1Thess.2.7; τὴν ἑαυτοῦ σάρκα NT.Eph.5.29; τὸ ἀσθενοῦν 4th c.AD: Alciphro Epistolographus 2.4; θ. καὶ τρέφειν “PMasp.” 6 B 132 (6th c.AD)">NT+3rd c.BC+]; τὴν πόλιν θ. tend it with fostering care, [Refs 1st c.BC+]
__III.3 ἐμὲ οὐδὲν θ. ἡ δόξα I care nothing for glory, [Refs 4th c.AD+]
__IV intransitive, to be full of heat, vigorous, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; θάλψαι τρεῖς ποίας to live three summers, [Refs 1st c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Deut.22.6 ☩ 1Thess.2.7 ☩ Eph.5.29}