συμφωνέω
symphōnéō
G4856 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sound together, be in harmony; in extended usage, to be in agreement, to concur, or to make a joint arrangement or contract. Primarily refers to literal resonance or harmonious sound, but more commonly used in Hellenistic and New Testament contexts for interpersonal or communal agreement, understanding, or covenant.
Semantic Range
to sound in harmony, to agree, to concur, to make a covenant or contract, to reach mutual understanding or arrangement, to stipulate
Root / Etymology
From σύμφωνος (harmonious, agreeing) and ultimately from σύν (together, with) + φωνή (sound, voice). The root combines the sense of 'together' and 'sound' — literally 'to sound together.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, συμφωνέω most often has the sense of producing a harmonious sound or resonating together musically. By the Hellenistic period (including Septuagint and New Testament), usage shifted to mean to agree, to reach an understanding, or to make a mutual arrangement—reflecting metaphorical extension from audible harmony to social/communal harmony. In the New Testament, often used for mutual agreement, concord, or stipulation, such as in Matthew 18:19 where it denotes two persons coming into full agreement. LXX examples show συμφωνέω used for setting terms (e.g., employment, contracts) as well as for general accord. Later English translations sometimes obscure the sound-based root with terms like 'agree' or 'consent.' Contrasts with διαφωνέω (to be discordant).
Translation Consistency
'Agree' best fits the typical New Testament and Hellenistic use of συμφωνέω — to be in harmony or to concur, to reach a mutual arrangement or covenant. It is a natural, common English verb that covers both literal harmony and the extended sense of interpersonal or contractual agreement, and will render consistently across forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύμφωνος; to be harmonious, i.e. (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by compact):--agree (together, with).
Root Family
συμφωνέω (symphōneō) — to sound together, to agree, to concur, to make an arrangement
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4856-02 |
συμφωνήσει | sumphonesei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will agree | he/she/it will agree | he/she/it will agree | 1 |
G4856-01 |
συμφωνήσας | sumphonesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
he had agreed | having agreed | having agreed | 1 |
G4856-04 |
συμφωνοῦσιν | sumphonousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
agree | they sound together | agree | 1 |
G4856-05 |
συνεφώνησάς | sunephonesas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you agree | you agreed together | you agreed together | 1 |
G4856-06 |
συνεφωνήθη | sunephonethe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
have agreed | it was agreed together | it was agreed together | 1 |
G4856-03 |
συμφωνήσωσιν | sumphonesosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
shall agree | they may agree together | they may agree together | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4856-03 |
Matthew 18:19 | συμφωνήσωσιν | sumphonesosin | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
shall agree | they may agree together | they may agree together |
G4856-01 |
Matthew 20:2 | συμφωνήσας | sumphonesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
he had agreed | having agreed | having agreed |
G4856-05 |
Matthew 20:13 | συνεφώνησάς | sunephonesas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you agree | you agreed together | you agreed together |
G4856-02 |
Luke 5:36 | συμφωνήσει | sumphonesei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will agree | he/she/it will agree | he/she/it will agree |
G4856-06 |
Acts 5:9 | συνεφωνήθη | sunephonethe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
have agreed | it was agreed together | it was agreed together |
G4856-04 |
Acts 15:15 | συμφωνοῦσιν | sumphonousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
agree | they sound together | agree |