συμπαθέω
sympathéō
G4834 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To share in the feelings or experiences of another, especially to be affected with the same emotion as another person; to sympathize, feel compassion, or experience fellow-feeling. The term ranges from emotional resonance ('suffer with, feel with') to active commiseration ('be moved with compassion', 'show empathy'). In broader contexts, it can include sharing both joys and sufferings.
Semantic Range
to share in suffering or experience, to sympathize, to have compassion, to commiserate, to be moved with feeling for, to be emotionally affected alongside another
Root / Etymology
From συμπαθής (sympathēs, 'having a fellow-feeling, affected similarly'), itself from σύν (with, together) + πάσχω (to suffer, to feel). The verb thus means 'to feel or experience with another.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
συμπαθέω is rare in classical Greek, where it generally denotes 'to share in suffering' or 'to be emotionally moved together with another.' Its use in Hellenistic and Koine literature (including the New Testament, e.g., Hebrews 4:15; 10:34) emphasizes deep empathy or compassionate engagement, not merely intellectual understanding of another's situation. While commonly translated in English as 'have compassion' or 'be touched with,' the term is broader than simple pity and encompasses the experience of genuinely feeling alongside another—thus going beyond what 'compassion' may connote in modern English. It is distinct from related terms such as ἐλεέω (to show mercy, have pity), as συμπαθέω focuses more on shared emotion rather than merciful action. In the New Testament, its appearance is often contrasted with the Greek philosophical ideal of ἀπάθεια ('apathy,' freedom from emotion), emphasizing the virtue of emotional engagement or solidarity. English 'sympathy' (and 'sympathize') is directly derived from this root; however, modern usage may not fully capture the participatory nuance inherent in ancient contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from συμπαθής; to feel "sympathy" with, i.e. (by implication) to commiserate:--have compassion, be touched with a feeling of.
Root Family
συμπαθέω (sympatheō) — to feel with, to experience together, to sympathize
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4834-01 |
συνεπαθήσατε | sunepathesate | V AOR ACT IND 2P PL |
you sympathized | you felt with | you sympathized with | 1 |
G4834-02 |
συνπαθῆσαι | sunpathesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to sympathize | to feel with | to feel with | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4834-02 |
Hebrews 4:15 | συνπαθῆσαι | sunpathesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to sympathize | to feel with | to feel with |
G4834-01 |
Hebrews 10:34 | συνεπαθήσατε | sunepathesate | V AOR ACT IND 2P PL |
you sympathized | you felt with | you sympathized with |