from σύν and (to pour) or its alternate; to commingle promiscuously, i.e. (figuratively) to throw (an assembly) into disorder, to perplex (the mind):--confound, confuse, stir up, be in an uproar.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G4797 (συγχέω, *synchéō*) is a compound verb derived from σύν (*syn*), meaning "with" or "together," and χέω (*cheō*), meaning "to pour." Its literal sense is "to pour together" or "to mix promiscuously." From this physical act of blending or commingling, the word develops a rich figurative semantic range. It signifies the act of throwing something into disorder, causing confusion, or perplexing the mind. This can manifest as:
1. **Disorder or Uproar:** To throw an assembly or a crowd into a state of chaos, tumult, or agitation.
2. **Perplexity or Confounding:** To cause mental confusion, to bewilder, or to put someone to a loss for words or understanding.
3. **Agitation or Stirring Up:** To incite or provoke a group of people, leading to unrest or disturbance.
The core idea is the disruption of order, clarity, or peace, whether physically, socially, or mentally.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G4797 appears exclusively in the book of Acts in the New Testament, highlighting its relevance to the early church's experiences with opposition and societal reactions to the gospel.
* **[[Acts 9:22]]:** "But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ." Here, *synchéō* describes Saul's powerful and irrefutable arguments that threw his Jewish opponents into intellectual and theological disarray. He "confounded" or "perplexed" them, leaving them without a counter-argument to his demonstration that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. This is a demonstration of the power of truth to disrupt established falsehoods.
* **[[Acts 19:32]]:** "Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion." This verse describes the chaotic scene in Ephesus during the riot incited by Demetrius. The assembly was literally "poured together" into a state of utter disorder, with no coherent message or leadership. It depicts a mob mentality, characterized by irrationality and lack of clear purpose, a stark contrast to orderly deliberation.
* **[[Acts 21:27]]:** "When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him." In this context, *synchéō* means "to stir up" or "to throw into confusion." The Jews intentionally incited the crowd against Paul, creating an atmosphere of hostility and disorder that led to his arrest.
* **[[Acts 21:31]]:** "And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion." This passage immediately follows the previous one, describing the widespread uproar caused by the false accusations against Paul. The entire city was in a state of agitation and tumult, demonstrating the far-reaching effects of the initial stirring up.
Across these occurrences, *synchéō* consistently denotes a state of disorder, whether intellectual perplexity caused by compelling truth or social chaos born of agitation and misunderstanding.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of confusion and disorder is frequently addressed in Scripture, often contrasted with divine order and peace.
* **ἀκαταστασία (akatastasia, `{{G179}}`):** This word signifies instability, disorder, or tumult, often used in contexts of social unrest or internal disquiet (e.g., [[1 Corinthians 14:33]], [[James 3:16]]). While *synchéō* describes the act or state of being confused/disordered, *akatastasia* describes the resulting condition of disorder.
* **ταραχή (tarachē, `{{G5016}}`):** Denotes trouble, agitation, or disturbance, often referring to a state of emotional or mental distress (e.g., [[John 14:27]]).
* **θόρυβος (thorubos, `{{G2351}}`):** Refers to a noise, uproar, or tumult, particularly of a crowd (e.g., [[Mark 5:39]], [[Acts 20:1]]). This word often describes the audible manifestation of the confusion caused by *synchéō*.
* **βαλάλ (balal, `{{H1101}}`):** The Hebrew word used in the account of the Tower of Babel in [[Genesis 11:7]], where God "confused" (בָּלַל) their language. While a different root, the conceptual parallel of divine action leading to linguistic and social disorder to thwart human rebellion is striking and provides a foundational biblical understanding of "confusion."
* **Opposite Concepts:** The antithesis of *synchéō* would be words signifying order, peace, and clarity, such as εἰρήνη (eirēnē, peace, `{{G1515}}`) and εὐταξία (eutaxia, good order, `{{G2103}}`).
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of *synchéō* in Acts carry significant theological weight.
1. **God of Order vs. Human Disorder:** The New Testament consistently presents God as a God of order, not confusion ([[1 Corinthians 14:33]]). The instances of *synchéō* in Acts often highlight human resistance to divine truth, leading to chaotic reactions. The confusion in Ephesus and Jerusalem stems from idolatry and opposition to the gospel, demonstrating how human sin and rebellion can plunge society into disorder.
2. **Truth as a Confounder:** Saul's ability to "confound" the Jews in Damascus illustrates the disruptive power of divine truth. When the gospel is proclaimed with clarity and conviction, it can expose falsehoods and challenge deeply held but erroneous beliefs, leading to intellectual perplexity for those who cling to error. This "confounding" is not arbitrary but serves to dismantle resistance to the kingdom of God.
3. **The Nature of Opposition:** The use of *synchéō* to describe the "stirring up" of crowds against Paul reveals a common tactic of those who oppose God's work: creating chaos, inciting baseless accusations, and manipulating public sentiment. This highlights the spiritual battle where forces of disorder seek to hinder the spread of the gospel.
4. **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Chaos:** Despite the confusion and uproar, God's purposes are not thwarted. Even in the midst of the chaos described in Acts 21, Paul is preserved, and the gospel continues to advance, demonstrating God's sovereign control over human events, even those marked by intense disorder.
### Summary
The Greek word G4797 (συγχέω, *synchéō*) fundamentally means "to pour together" and extends figuratively to "to confound," "to confuse," or "to stir up" into an uproar. Its usage in the book of Acts vividly portrays both intellectual perplexity and social chaos. Saul's effective proclamation of Christ "confounded" his Jewish opponents, demonstrating the power of truth to disrupt error. Conversely, the word describes the tumultuous "confusion" and "uproar" of crowds in Ephesus and Jerusalem, incited by those hostile to the gospel. Theologically, *synchéō* underscores the contrast between God's divine order and the disorder that arises from human sin, resistance to truth, or the machinations of those who oppose God's kingdom. Yet, even within such confusion, God's sovereign plan continues to unfold, often using the very act of confounding to advance His purposes.
TRV