Word Study for G4836 (συμπαραγίνομαι)

symparagínomai /soom-par-ag-in'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σύν and παραγίνομαι

Meaningto be present together, i.e. to convene; by implication, to appear in aid

KJV usagecome together, stand with.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of symparagínomai — 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 symparagínomai, represented by G4836, means to be present together. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. The word is formed from σύν (with) and παραγίνομαι (to come near), giving it the dual meaning of convening as a group or appearing alongside someone to offer aid. It can describe a crowd assembling for an event or an individual standing with another in support.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The uses of G4836 highlight two distinct forms of "being present." In one instance, it describes all the people who came together G4836 to witness the crucifixion, acting as a collective body observing a momentous event Luke 23:48. In a more personal context, the Apostle Paul uses it to express his isolation, stating that at his first defense, no man stood with him G4836, but all had instead forsook him 2 Timothy 4:16.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which people "come together" or "stand with" others:

G1459 enkataleípō (to desert): This word is used in direct opposition to G4836 when Paul laments that while no one stood with him, all men forsook him 2 Timothy 4:16. It highlights the theme of abandonment.
G3793 óchlos (a throng): This term for a multitude or crowd is the subject that came together G4836 at the crucifixion, showing that the word can refer to a large, public gathering Luke 23:48.
G2335 theōría (a spectacle): This describes the sight that the people convened to witness. The crowd came together specifically for this purpose Luke 23:48.

Theological Significance

The two uses of G4836 carry significant theological weight concerning community and faithfulness.

The Principle of Standing in Aid: Paul's experience underscores the profound need for human solidarity, especially in times of trial. His statement that "no man stood with me" 2 Timothy 4:16 serves as a poignant contrast to God's ultimate promise never to forsake His children Hebrews 13:5. It highlights the pain of human desertion against the backdrop of divine faithfulness.
The Nature of Collective Witness: The crowd that came together at the crucifixion represents more than a mere gathering. As they were beholding the events, their shared action of smiting their breasts signifies a collective emotional and spiritual response to what they witnessed Luke 23:48. This act of convening becomes a moment of shared experience and recognition.

Summary

In summary, G4836 symparagínomai provides a concise yet powerful picture of presence. Whether describing a multitude that convenes to witness a historic event or the personal act of an individual standing in solidarity with another, the word speaks to the importance of "being there." Its rare appearances in scripture powerfully contrast the dynamics of mass gathering with the profound intimacy of personal loyalty and abandonment.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Middle Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Middle Deponent Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Middle Deponent: Middle in form but active in meaning.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and 2 Timothy (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

Luke

2 Timothy

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.