Word Study for G4912 (συνέχω)

synéchō /soon-ekh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σύν and ἔχω

Meaningto hold together, i.e. to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy

KJV usageconstrain, hold, keep in, press, lie sick of, stop, be in a strait, straiten, be taken with, throng.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of synéchō — 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 synéchō, represented by G4912, means to hold together. Its definition includes actions like compressing, arresting, compelling, perplexing, afflicting, and preoccupying. A versatile term derived from σύν (sýn) and ἔχω (échō), it appears 13 times across 12 unique verses in the Bible, describing various forms of physical, emotional, and spiritual pressure.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4912 is used in several distinct contexts. Physically, it describes the men that held Jesus Luke 22:63 and the multitude that throng him Luke 8:45. It is frequently used to describe being overcome by an ailment, such as being taken with divers diseases Matthew 4:24, taken with a great fever Luke 4:38, or sick of a fever and a bloody flux Acts 28:8. The word also portrays being gripped by a strong emotion, as when the Gadarenes were taken with great fear Luke 8:37. Figuratively, it conveys a compelling internal force, such as when the love of Christ constraineth believers 2 Corinthians 5:14 or when Paul was pressed in the spirit Acts 18:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to understand the contexts in which G4912 is used:

G4862 sýn (with or together): As a primary preposition denoting union, this word forms the first part of synéchō and emphasizes the concept of holding "together" or compressing.
G2192 échō (to hold): This primary verb, meaning to hold, is the root of the second part of synéchō. Its broad application, from possession to condition, provides the foundational meaning of holding that G4912 intensifies.
G4446 pyretós (fever): This noun for fever often appears with G4912 to specify the nature of a physical affliction, such as when Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever Luke 4:38.
G5401 phóbos (alarm or fright): This word for fear is used with G4912 to describe an overwhelming emotional state, as when the people were taken with great fear Luke 8:37.

Theological Significance

The significance of G4912 lies in its ability to describe a state of being powerfully controlled or influenced, whether by external or internal forces.

External Pressure and Affliction: The word is used for physical arrest Luke 22:63, military siege where enemies keep a city in on every side Luke 19:43, and the overwhelming force of a crowd Luke 8:45. It also consistently denotes being overcome by illness Matthew 4:24.
Internal Compulsion: The term describes a profound sense of inner motivation or distress. The love of Christ constraineth believers, acting as a guiding force 2 Corinthians 5:14. Paul feels pressed in the spirit to testify Acts 18:5.
Figurative Distress: G4912 is used to illustrate a state of perplexity or anguish. Paul describes being in a strait between two choices Philippians 1:23, and Jesus speaks of being straitened until His baptism is accomplished Luke 12:50.

Summary

In summary, G4912 is a dynamic term that illustrates various forms of constraint and pressure. From the literal act of holding a prisoner or stopping one's ears Acts 7:57 to the figurative experience of being afflicted by disease, gripped by fear, or compelled by spiritual conviction, synéchō encapsulates the feeling of being held, pressed, or completely preoccupied by a powerful force.

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 12 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Passive Indicative 1st Singular 2×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Imperfect Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Imperfect Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Passive Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Passive Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Feminine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
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".
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
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 12 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (6 verses); never once in the other 22.

Matthew

Luke

Acts

2 Corinthians

Philippians

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.