σύμφημι
sýmphēmi
G4852 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To express agreement with, to concur in speech or opinion; primarily, to affirm or say together with someone else, thus indicating assent, consent, or agreement in discourse. The core meaning involves joint affirmation or declaration and, in extended contexts, can refer to granting approval or being in accord with a statement or proposal.
Semantic Range
to express agreement, to assent, to declare jointly, to approve (in speech), to consent (verbally), to be of the same opinion (in discourse)
Root / Etymology
From the preposition σύν ('with, together with') and the verb φημί ('to say, speak'). The compound form intensifies the sense of speaking together, hence expressing agreement or joint saying.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, σύμφημι is a relatively rare verb, attested primarily in figurative or rhetorical contexts where mutual agreement is expressed, whether in dialogue, formal councils, or rhetorical argument. In the Koine period, including the New Testament (e.g., Luke 23:51; Acts 24:9), σύμφημι typically denotes verbal or public agreement—particularly the idea of consenting to or aligning oneself with a statement, judgment, or accusation. Occasionally, it carries a nuance of endorsement or approval, as in assenting to a collective decision, often with ethical or legal connotations. Common English translations such as 'consent' or 'agree' capture the general sense but sometimes obscure the explicit verbal component ('say together'). The term belongs to a word group that includes συμφωνέω ('to agree, harmonize'), which has a broader semantic range encompassing both speech and broader harmony, whereas σύμφημι retains a more narrowly verbal or declarative focus. The verb does not carry the formal or procedural sense of legal consent in later Greek administrations but rather the sense of public or expressed concurrence. The word's usage in the Septuagint is sparse and often reflects the Greek translators' effort to capture Hebrew terms for consent or joint declaration.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and φημί; to say jointly, i.e. assent to:--consent unto.
Root Family
σύμφημι (sýmphēmi) — to speak together, to say with, to agree verbally
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4852-01 |
σύνφημι | sunphemi | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I agree | I agree aloud | I agree aloud | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4852-01 |
Romans 7:16 | σύνφημι | sunphemi | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I agree | I agree aloud | I agree aloud |