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συναγωγή

synagōgḗ

G4864 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primary meaning: an assembly or gathering, especially of people brought together for a specific purpose. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, most often denoting (1) a structured meeting or assembly of Judeans, frequently for religious instruction, prayer, and community affairs; and (2) the physical space or building where such gatherings occur. Secondarily, can refer generically to any assembly or congregation, but by the late Second Temple period is strongly associated with Judean communal religious life.

Semantic Range

assembly, gathering, congregation (of people); the act of assembling; the place or building where the assembly meets; local Judean religious institution; (rarely) any group or assembly of people

Root / Etymology

From the verb συνάγω (synagō, 'to bring together, gather') with the nominal suffix -ή; literally, 'a gathering together', 'place of assembly.' Cognate with the verb συνάγω and structurally similar to other Greek nouns denoting locations or gatherings (e.g., ἐκκλησία).

Historical & Contextual Notes

Earliest uses (classical and early Hellenistic periods) of συναγωγή denote a general gathering or collection, whether of people or things. In the LXX (Septuagint), the term acquires specialized usage for both the assembly of Israelites and the gathering places of Judeans in the diaspora, laying groundwork for its religious connotation. By the 1st century BCE–1st century CE, συναγωγή refers primarily to local communal institutions central to Judean social and religious life throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Unlike ἐκκλησία, which develops a distinct meaning in early Christ-movement contexts as the assembly of believers, συναγωγή in the NT and contemporary literature almost always designates specifically Judean communal gatherings and their associated buildings. English 'synagogue' directly derives from this term, but carries connotations from later rabbinic Judaism not present in all ancient uses. Translations as 'assembly' or 'congregation' reflect the broader, more neutral sense, but may miss the institutionally specific meaning in late Hellenistic and Roman settings.

Translation Consistency

primary "synagogue" 56 occurrences

In the Hellenistic/NT context συναγωγή most often denotes the Judean religious assembly or the building where that assembly meets. “Synagogue” is the standard, natural English term that preserves the institution’s cultural specificity while covering both the gathering and the place, so it best fits the typical usage and will provide consistent rendering across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (the reduplicated form of) συνάγω; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a Christian church:--assembly, congregation, synagogue.

Root Family

συναγωγή (synagōgē) — assembly, gathering, congregation, meeting place

Root συνάγ- to gather together, to bring together, to assemble

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4864-01 συναγωγαῖς sunagogais N DAT F PL synagogues assemblies to synagogues 15
G4864-03 συναγωγῇ sunagoge N DAT F SG synagogue to the assembly to the synagogue 14
G4864-04 συναγωγὴν sunagogen N ACC F SG synagogue an assembly a synagogue 12
G4864-02 συναγωγὰς sunagogas N ACC F PL synagogues assemblies synagogues 8
G4864-05 συναγωγῆς sunagoges N GEN F SG synagogue of the assembly of the synagogue 6
G4864-06 συναγωγῶν sunagogon N GEN F PL synagogues of assemblies synagogues 1

Occurrences in Scripture

56 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4864-01 Matthew 4:23 συναγωγαῖς sunagogais N DAT F PL synagogues assemblies synagogues
G4864-01 Matthew 6:2 συναγωγαῖς sunagogais N DAT F PL synagogues assemblies to synagogues
G4864-01 Matthew 6:5 συναγωγαῖς sunagogais N DAT F PL synagogues assemblies to synagogues
G4864-01 Matthew 9:35 συναγωγαῖς sunagogais N DAT F PL synagogues assemblies synagogues
G4864-01 Matthew 10:17 συναγωγαῖς sunagogais N DAT F PL synagogues assemblies to synagogues
G4864-04 Matthew 12:9 συναγωγὴν sunagogen N ACC F SG synagogue an assembly a synagogue
G4864-03 Matthew 13:54 συναγωγῇ sunagoge N DAT F SG synagogue to the assembly to the synagogue
G4864-01 Matthew 23:6 συναγωγαῖς sunagogais N DAT F PL synagogues assemblies to synagogues
G4864-01 Matthew 23:34 συναγωγαῖς sunagogais N DAT F PL synagogues assemblies to synagogues
G4864-04 Mark 1:21 συναγωγὴν sunagogen N ACC F SG synagogue an assembly a synagogue
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