συντρίβω
syntríbō
G4937 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To crush, break by force, shatter; to smash or bruise by compaction; to break apart or reduce to fragments. In extended usage, to oppress, afflict, or devastate emotionally or physically. The primary meaning is physical crushing or shattering, but the verb is often used figuratively for emotional breaking, overwhelming, or decisive defeat.
Semantic Range
to crush, to shatter, to break in pieces, to bruise, to oppress or afflict deeply (emotionally or physically), to devastate, to destroy decisively
Root / Etymology
From the preposition σύν ('with, together') and the verb τρίβω ('to rub, to wear down, to crush'). συντρίβω conveys a sense of forceful, thorough breaking, emphasizing the result of destruction or shattering.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, συντρίβω was used of physical smashing (e.g., ships breaking on rocks, crushing pottery), but could also refer to figurative destruction or defeat. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew words meaning 'to break, crush, oppress,' especially in military or judgment contexts (e.g., crushing enemies, breaking of bones, devastation of spirit). In the New Testament, the verb maintains this range: literal breaking or bruising (Luke 20:18; Revelation 2:27) and also figurative uses such as crushing Satan underfoot (Romans 16:20), or depicting emotional devastation or repentance (cf. 'broken heart'). English Bible tradition renders the verb variously: 'crush,' 'break in pieces,' 'bruise,' and, in figurative contexts, 'crush the spirit' or 'overwhelm.' Its connotation is stronger than simply 'to break'; it emphasizes completeness and violence in destruction. Related to τρίβω ('to rub, to wear'), but συντρίβω specifically intensifies the destructive outcome. Not to be confused with κατεάγω or λύω, which may mean 'to break' without the nuance of violent shattering.
Translation Consistency
The primary sense of συντρίβω is physical crushing/shattering with extended figurative uses (oppress, devastate, overwhelm). “Crush” naturally covers both literal breaking into pieces and metaphorical overwhelming or oppressing, is common English, and will yield natural renderings across all inflected forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and the base of τρίβος; to crush completely, i.e. to shatter (literally or figuratively):--break (in pieces), broken to shivers (+ -hearted), bruise.
Root Family
συντρίβ- (syntríbō) — to crush, to shatter, to break thoroughly
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4938 | σύντριμμα | a shattering ruin |
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4937-01 |
συντετριμμένον | suntetrimmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M SG |
bruised | having been shattered | having been crushed | 1 |
G4937-02 |
συντετρῖφθαι | suntetriphthai | V PRF PASS INF |
broken in pieces | to have been shattered | to have been shattered | 1 |
G4937-03 |
συντριβήσεται | suntribesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
shall be broken | will be crushed | will be broken | 1 |
G4937-04 |
συντρίβεται | suntribetai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
shall be broken | was being crushed | are shattered | 1 |
G4937-05 |
συντρῖβον | suntribon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N SG |
bruising | thoroughly crushing | bruising | 1 |
G4937-06 |
συντρίψασα | suntripsasa | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
breaking | having crushed | breaking | 1 |
G4937-07 |
συντρίψει | suntripsei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will crush | he/she/it will shatter | he will shatter | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4937-01 |
Matthew 12:20 | συντετριμμένον | suntetrimmenon | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M SG |
bruised | having been shattered | having been crushed |
G4937-02 |
Mark 5:4 | συντετρῖφθαι | suntetriphthai | V PRF PASS INF |
broken in pieces | to have been shattered | to have been shattered |
G4937-06 |
Mark 14:3 | συντρίψασα | suntripsasa | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
breaking | having crushed | breaking |
G4937-05 |
Luke 9:39 | συντρῖβον | suntribon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N SG |
bruising | thoroughly crushing | bruising |
G4937-03 |
John 19:36 | συντριβήσεται | suntribesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
shall be broken | will be crushed | will be broken |
G4937-07 |
Romans 16:20 | συντρίψει | suntripsei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will crush | he/she/it will shatter | he will shatter |
G4937-04 |
Revelation 2:27 | συντρίβεται | suntribetai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
shall be broken | was being crushed | are shattered |