Word Study for G4819 (συμβαίνω)

symbaínō /soom-bah'-ee-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σύν and the base of βάσις

Meaningto walk (figuratively, transpire) together, i.e. concur (take place)

KJV usagebe(-fall), happen (unto).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of symbaínō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word symbaínō, represented by G4819, is a compound term derived from roots meaning to walk together. Figuratively, it means to transpire, concur, or take place, and is often translated as happen or befall. It appears 8 times across 8 unique verses, describing events that occur or transpire.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4819 is used to describe a range of occurrences, from personal trials to pivotal events. It can refer to future events that are prophesied to take place, such as when Jesus G2424 tells the twelve what things would happen to him in Jerusalem G2414 Mark 10:32. It also describes past adversities, as when Paul recounts the temptations that befell him Acts 20:19. The word is used to describe recent, astonishing events, like the healing of the man at the Beautiful gate G4439, which filled people with wonder and amazement G1611 at what had happened Acts 3:10. It is also used in a narrative sense to describe a sequence of events, as when Paul was borne by soldiers G4757 because of the violence G970 of the people G3793 Acts 21:35.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context and impact of events described by G4819:

G3986 peirasmós (a putting to proof): This word often describes the nature of what befell someone. In Acts 20:19, Paul speaks of the temptations that befell him during his ministry.
G1611 ékstasis (a displacement of the mind, i.e. bewilderment, "ecstasy"): This describes the reaction to what has happened. After the healing at the temple gate G4439, the people were filled with wonder and amazement G1611 at what had happened to the man Acts 3:10.
G5179 týpos (a die (as struck), i.e. (by implication) a stamp or scar): This word highlights the purpose of past events. The things that happened to Israel in the wilderness are described as ensamples G5179 for believers 1 Corinthians 10:11.

Theological Significance

The use of G4819 carries significant theological weight, often pointing to the purpose behind events.

Sovereignty and Prophetic Fulfillment: The word is used to describe events that were foretold. Jesus G2424 prepared His disciples for what would happen to Him in Jerusalem G2414, indicating that these events were not random but part of a divine plan Mark 10:32.
Instructive History: Events that have happened in the past are presented as having a teaching purpose for believers. The experiences of Israel happened to serve as ensamples G5179 and for our admonition G3559 1 Corinthians 10:11.
Trials as a Test: For believers, things that happen are often framed as trials. Peter urges his readers not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial G4451 that happened to them, as it is a means of testing 1 Peter 4:12. Similarly, Paul's ministry was marked by temptations G3986 that befell him Acts 20:19.
Confirmation of Truth: An event that happened can confirm a known principle. The fate of apostates is described as having happened according to a true G227 proverb G3942, demonstrating that outcomes often align with established truths 2 Peter 2:22.

Summary

In summary, G4819 symbaínō is a versatile word used to denote events that transpire or happen. While it can describe simple occurrences, it is most often used in contexts where events carry deeper significance. Whether describing the foreseen sufferings of Jesus G2424, the trials that befell the apostles, or historical events that serve as an admonition G3559, the word underscores the biblical view that what happens is rarely without purpose and is often a component of God's redemptive and instructive work.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 8 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Active Participle Dative Singular Neuter 1×
Perfect Active Participle Genitive Plural Neuter 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Genitive Singular Neuter 1×

Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter 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.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
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.
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.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (3 verses); never once in the other 21.

Mark

Luke

Acts

1 Corinthians

1 Peter

2 Peter

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.