ἐπισυνάγω

episynágō /ep-ee-soon-ag'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἐπί and συνάγω
Meaningto collect upon the same place
KJV usagegather (together).
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word episynágō, represented by G1996, means to collect upon the same place or to gather together. Derived from ἐπί and συνάγω, this term appears 9 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible, describing the act of bringing entities into a single location.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1996 is used to describe several types of gatherings. It can refer to a physical assembly, such as when an entire city was gathered together at a door Mark 1:33 or when an innumerable multitude G3461 of people gathered together Luke 12:1. More poignantly, Jesus uses the word to express his longing to have gathered the children G5043 of Jerusalem G2419 together as a hen G3733 gathers her young (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34). It is also used in an eschatological sense, describing the future event when angels G32 will gather together His elect G1588 from the four winds (Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which G1996 is used:

  • G1588 eklektós (select; by implication, favorite:--chosen, elect): This describes the specific group of people who are the object of the divine gathering at the end of the age Mark 13:27.
  • G32 ángelos (a messenger; especially an "angel"): These are the agents sent by God to perform the act of gathering His chosen people from across the earth and heaven Matthew 24:31.
  • G3733 órnis (a hen): This word is central to the metaphor of Christ's protective desire to gather the people of Jerusalem, illustrating a tender and sheltering care Matthew 23:37.
  • G2419 Hierousalḗm (Jerusalem): The city is personified as the recipient of Christ's desire to gather its children, but its people were unwilling Luke 13:34.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1996 is significant, highlighting key divine actions and intentions.

  • Protective Longing: The image of a hen gathering her brood G3555 or chickens G3556 reveals God's deep, protective desire to bring His people into a place of safety and fellowship Matthew 23:37.
  • Eschatological Fulfillment: The term is crucial to understanding the end times, where it signifies the final, climactic event of God assembling His elect from all creation into His kingdom Mark 13:27.
  • Divine Initiative: In all its uses, the word implies an active agent performing the gathering, whether it is Jesus, a hen, or the angels, emphasizing that the gathering is an intentional act initiated by a higher power.

Summary

In summary, G1996 conveys more than a simple assembly. It encapsulates a spectrum of meaning, from the physical gathering of a crowd to the tender, protective longing of Christ for His people. Ultimately, it points to the sovereign and final act of God, who will one day gather together His elect from every part of heaven and earth.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 8 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms.

  • 2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Aorist Passive Participle Genitive Plural Feminine 1×
  • Future Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Future Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Perfect Passive Participle Nominative Singular Feminine 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 6 verses across 3 books. Most frequent in Matthew (2 verses).

2
Matthew
2
Mark
2
Luke

Verse Explorer

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