from (the reduplicated form of) συνάγω; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a Christian church:--assembly, congregation, synagogue.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **synagōgḗ**, represented by `{{G4864}}`, primarily denotes an **assemblage of persons**. It appears 57 times across 57 unique verses in the Bible. While it specially refers to a Jewish **"synagogue"**, the term can describe the meeting itself or the physical place of assembly, and is also used by analogy for a Christian **congregation** or **assembly**.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{G4864}}` is central to religious and community life. It serves as a primary location for teaching and preaching, where Jesus went about "teaching in their **synagogues**, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom" [[Matthew 4:23]]. It was his custom to enter the **synagogue** on the Sabbath day to read [[Luke 4:16]]. The apostles, like Paul, also reasoned with Jews and Greeks in the **synagogue** every sabbath [[Acts 18:4]]. However, the term is also associated with conflict and persecution, with Jesus warning his followers that they would be scourged in the **synagogues** [[Matthew 10:17]] and beaten [[Mark 13:9]]. In a figurative sense, the term is used to identify those who oppose God's people, described as the **"synagogue** of Satan" [[Revelation 2:9]]. The word can also refer to a Christian gathering, as seen in James's reference to an **assembly** [[James 2:2]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the context and activities associated with the synagogue:
* `{{G1321}}` **didáskō** (to teach): This verb describes the primary activity within the synagogue. Jesus frequently entered the **synagogue** and **taught** [[Mark 1:21]].
* `{{G4892}}` **synédrion** (council): This term refers to a Jewish tribunal and is often mentioned alongside synagogues as a place of judgment, where believers would be delivered up to **councils** and scourged in **synagogues** [[Matthew 10:17]].
* `{{G4521}}` **sábbaton** (the Sabbath): The synagogue was the focal point of religious activity on the **sabbath**. It was Jesus's custom to go into the **synagogue** on the **sabbath** day [[Luke 4:16]].
* `{{G2453}}` **Ioudaîos** (Jew): The synagogue is overwhelmingly identified as a Jewish institution. For example, in Thessalonica, there was "a **synagogue** of the **Jews**" [[Acts 17:1]].
### Theological Significance
The theological importance of `{{G4864}}` is demonstrated in its varied roles throughout the New Testament.
* **Center for Jewish Worship:** The synagogue served as the customary place for reading the law of Moses, which was "read in the **synagogues** every sabbath day" [[Acts 15:21]], and for community prayer.
* **Initial Platform for the Gospel:** Jesus and the apostles consistently used the **synagogue** as the first place to proclaim the message of Christ. Paul preached Christ in the **synagogues** immediately after his conversion [[Acts 9:20]] and reasoned there with both Jews and Greeks [[Acts 18:4]].
* **Arena of Conflict:** The term highlights the growing division between Judaism and the early church. Synagogues are frequently depicted as places where believers would be persecuted, scourged [[Matthew 23:34]], and compelled to blaspheme [[Acts 26:11]].
* **Symbol of True and False Assembly:** The word is used to contrast genuine and counterfeit gatherings of faith. While James uses it for a Christian **assembly** [[James 2:2]], Revelation employs it metaphorically to describe the "**synagogue** of Satan" [[Revelation 2:9]], representing an assembly that falsely claims religious identity.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G4864}}` is much more than a term for a building. It represents the very heart of Jewish religious and social life, a place of teaching and worship. It also became the primary, and often contentious, stage for the proclamation of the gospel. The development of its usage from a physical meeting place to a symbol of both true assembly and the "**synagogue** of Satan" [[Revelation 2:9]] illustrates the profound spiritual shift that characterized the early church era.
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