συντυγχάνω
syntynchánō
G4940 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To meet or encounter by chance, to happen upon someone or something, emphasizing the element of unplanned or coincidental encounter. In extended senses, can mean to obtain or find as a result of such an encounter, or to reach by coming together.
Semantic Range
to meet by chance, to happen upon, to encounter unintentionally, to obtain by chance, to reach by coming together, to come upon
Root / Etymology
From σύν ('with, together with') and τυγχάνω ('to happen, to meet, to obtain'). The compound adds the nuance of coming together with someone/something, typically by chance occurrence.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, συντυγχάνω appears mainly in the sense of 'encountering by chance' or 'coming upon someone/something,' often with an implication of coincidence rather than intentional seeking. The verb is used in literary prose (e.g., Xenophon, Polybius) and in some later Koine sources, but it is rare in the New Testament. In Hellenistic and Koine texts (including the Septuagint), the meaning continues to focus on unplanned meetings or encounters, either with persons or circumstances. The English rendering 'come at' or 'to meet with' in older translations may understate the sense of fortuity inherent in the Greek verb. The word is distinguished from related terms such as ἀπαντάω (which often conveys intentional approach or meeting) and συναντῶ (which can also denote mutual meeting but may lack the sense of sheer chance. The component τυγχάνω is central in communicating the unexpected nature of the encounter. The word does not carry specific religious or ethnic nuances, being used in common discourse as well as in literary context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and τυγχάνω; to chance together, i.e. meet with (reach):--come at.
Root Family
συντυχ- (syntynchánō) — to meet, to encounter, to come together by chance
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4940-01 |
συντυχεῖν | suntuchein | V AOR ACT INF |
to reach | to encounter by chance | to reach | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4940-01 |
Luke 8:19 | συντυχεῖν | suntuchein | V AOR ACT INF |
to reach | to encounter by chance | to reach |