συγχράομαι

synchráomai

G4798 verb

SILEX Entry

Root χρα- to use, to deal with, to employ

Definition

To make use of together with another; to share use or participate with others in something. In broader contexts, to associate closely with, to have dealings or social, commercial, or practical interactions with others. The core sense is joint participation or employment of something together, expanding by context to include social association or engaging in mutual activity.

Semantic Range

to use together with, to share use, to participate mutually, to associate with, to have dealings or interactions, to have joint relations

Root / Etymology

From σύν (with, together) and χράομαι (to use, to make use of, to deal with). Formed as a compound, indicating action performed jointly or mutually with others.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, συγχράομαι primarily describes sharing use of resources or participating in common activities. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, especially in the New Testament (e.g., John 4:9), it extends to mean 'to associate with,' 'to have relations or interactions with,' often with a connotation of close contact (sometimes with the implication of social or ritual boundaries). The word can be used neutrally to indicate joint participation, but in some contexts (notably in Jewish-Judean and Samaritan relations), it may imply crossing of social or purity boundaries, which explains the English translation 'have dealings with.' Standard English renderings like 'have dealings with' may obscure the nuance of joint participation or sharing in use. In the Septuagint and contemporary Greek literature, similar nuances are observed, typically around association or sharing, rather than merely formal 'dealings.' The root is distinct from χράομαι, which simply means 'to use' or 'to deal with.' Synonyms include συνεῖναι (to be with, to associate), though συγχράομαι emphasizes active participation or use together rather than mere association.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and χράομαι; to use jointly, i.e. (by implication) to hold intercourse in common:--have dealings with.

Root Family

συγχράομαι (synchraomai) — to use together, to share use, to associate with, to have dealings with

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G4798-01 συνχρῶνται sunchrontai V PRS MID IND 3P PL have dealings they are associating with 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G4798-01 John 4:9 συνχρῶνται sunchrontai V PRS MID IND 3P PL have dealings they are associating with