συμβούλιον
symboúlion
G4824 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A deliberative consultation or formal meeting for decision-making, often with the sense of 'a session of counsel.' In specific contexts, refers to a governing or advisory council, or an assembly convened for consultation and deliberation. Can denote the act of consulting, the advice offered, or the body that gives counsel.
Semantic Range
consultation, act of deliberation, advice; a body of advisors or council; a formal meeting for counsel or decision-making; an official governing or judicial assembly; a resolution or plan formulated by such a group
Root / Etymology
From συμβουλεύω (to advise, to deliberate together), derived from σύν (with, together) and βούλομαι (to will, to plan, to wish). συμβούλιον is a neuter noun form denoting the institution or instance of joint deliberation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In general Greek usage, συμβούλιον refers both to the act of taking counsel together and to the council or assembly where such deliberation takes place. The term occurs in classical Greek in both public and private contexts, signifying a group convened to discuss and decide matters. In Hellenistic and Roman periods—including the Septuagint and the New Testament—the term is frequently used for official gatherings such as provincial councils, local governing bodies, or deliberative assemblies, often with legal or administrative authority. It can also refer more abstractly to a plan or purpose decided upon by such a body (cf. 'counsel' as advice or decision). In the New Testament, συμβούλιον may refer to councils of Judean or other leadership that convened for judicial or administrative purposes. English translations sometimes render it as 'council' or 'consultation,' but these may not always convey the nuance of a formal or semi-formal governing assembly. It should be distinguished from βουλή (boulē), which often denotes a more official council, such as a city senate.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of a presumed derivative of σύμβουλος; advisement; specially, a deliberative body, i.e. the provincial assessors or lay-court:--consultation, counsel, council.
Root Family
συμβούλιον (symboulion) — consultation, deliberation, counsel, council, joint resolution
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4824-01 |
συμβούλιον | sumboulion | N ACC N SG |
consultation | deliberative council | 7 |
G4824-02 |
συμβουλίου | sumbouliou | N GEN N SG |
council | of a deliberative council | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4824-01 |
Matthew 12:14 | συμβούλιον | sumboulion | N ACC N SG |
deliberative council | |
G4824-01 |
Matthew 22:15 | συμβούλιον | sumboulion | N ACC N SG |
deliberative council | |
G4824-01 |
Matthew 27:1 | συμβούλιον | sumboulion | N ACC N SG |
deliberative council | |
G4824-01 |
Matthew 27:7 | συμβούλιον | sumboulion | N ACC N SG |
deliberative council | |
G4824-01 |
Matthew 28:12 | συμβούλιόν | sumboulion | N ACC N SG |
deliberative council | |
G4824-01 |
Mark 3:6 | συμβούλιον | sumboulion | N ACC N SG |
counsel | deliberative council |
G4824-01 |
Mark 15:1 | συμβούλιον | sumboulion | N ACC N SG |
consultation | deliberative council |
G4824-02 |
Acts 25:12 | συμβουλίου | sumbouliou | N GEN N SG |
council | of a deliberative council |