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ἐπισυναγωγή

episynagōgḗ

G1997 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A gathering or assembling together; primarily denotes the act or place of bringing people together in one place. In the New Testament, refers specifically to the communal assembling of a group, commonly used for the gathering of followers of Jesus (usually for worship or mutual encouragement), but the sense is not limited to Christian contexts. The core idea is the convergence of individuals into a single location or event.

Semantic Range

gathering, assembling together, collective meeting, (in some contexts) reassembling after dispersion; (specifically) the communal gathering of followers of Jesus

Root / Etymology

From ἐπισυνάγω (to gather together), itself from the preposition ἐπί ('upon, together') and συνάγω ('to gather, bring together'). Formed by adding the feminine nominal suffix -ή to the verb, indicating the result of the action or the act itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

While ἐπισυναγωγή is rare in non-biblical Greek, it is found in Hellenistic texts with the general meaning 'gathering together' or 'assembly.' In the Septuagint, it is used to translate Hebrew terms for the assembly of the people of Israel, particularly when emphasizing re-gathering from dispersion. In the New Testament (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Hebrews 10:25), ἐπισυναγωγή refers to the collective meeting or gathering of believers, without the more specific institutional connotations of συναγωγή (which often denotes a formal assembly or synagogue). English translations sometimes render it as 'assembling,' 'gathering,' or 'meeting together,' but often do not reflect the underlying idea of re-gathering or a complete collection. The term is related to, but distinct from, συναγωγή, which by the first century CE typically denoted the recognized meeting-place or institution associated with Judaean communities (the synagogue). In contrast, ἐπισυναγωγή lacks that institutional sense and instead emphasizes the act or event of gathering, especially the eschatological assembly in some contexts (notably 2 Thessalonians 2:1).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπισυνάγω; a complete collection; especially a Christian meeting (for worship):--assembling (gathering) together.

Root Family

ἐπισυναγωγή (episynagōgē) — gathering, assembling together, bringing together into one place

Root συναγ- to gather, to bring together

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1997-01 ἐπισυναγωγὴν episunagogen N ACC F SG assembling gathering together gathering together 1
G1997-02 ἐπισυναγωγῆς episunagoges N GEN F SG gathering of the gathering together gathering together 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1997-02 2 Thessalonians 2:1 ἐπισυναγωγῆς episunagoges N GEN F SG gathering of the gathering together gathering together
G1997-01 Hebrews 10:25 ἐπισυναγωγὴν episunagogen N ACC F SG assembling gathering together gathering together
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