English · KJV
G4919

συνθρύπτω

synthrýptō /soon-throop'-to/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom σύν and (to crumble)
Meaningto crush together, i.e. (figuratively) to dispirit
KJV usagebreak.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of synthrýptō — 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 synthrýptō, represented by G4919, means to crush together or, figuratively, to dispirit. The root words are σύν and θρύπτω (to crumble). It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its single usage particularly impactful.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of G4919 is in Acts 21:13, where the Apostle Paul responds to his companions who are trying to dissuade him from going to Jerusalem. He asks, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?" In this context, the word powerfully conveys the deep emotional distress and spiritual anguish Paul feels as a result of their sorrow. His use of the term illustrates that their weeping is figuratively "crushing" his heart, even as he remains resolute in his mission to be bound and even die for the Lord Jesus Acts 21:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its only context in Acts 21:13 help illuminate the meaning of G4919:

  • G2799 klaíō (to sob, i.e. wail aloud): This describes the action of Paul's friends that is causing his heart to "break."
  • G2588 kardía (the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind)): This is the object being figuratively crushed or broken by Paul's grief.
  • G1210 déō (to bind): This is the physical hardship Paul declares he is ready to face, contrasting the emotional hardship conveyed by G4919.
  • G599 apothnḗskō (to die off): This represents the ultimate sacrifice Paul is willing to make, for which he is enduring the heartbreak from his friends Acts 21:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4919 is derived entirely from its singular, powerful use.

  • Emotional Cost of Obedience: The word demonstrates that dedication to God's calling does not eliminate emotional pain. Paul's heart was being "crushed," showing the profound personal and relational cost of his commitment.
  • Spiritual Fortitude: Despite this deep emotional distress, Paul's resolve is unshaken. The use of G4919 highlights a faith that can withstand not only external threats like being "bound" or put to "die," but also internal, heart-breaking sorrow.
  • Figurative Anguish: Its figurative use to "dispirit" or break the heart G2588 provides a vivid picture of the conflict that can arise between human love and divine purpose, framing Paul's journey to Jerusalem as an act of immense sacrifice on all levels Acts 21:13.

Summary

In summary, while synthrýptō G4919 is one of the rarest words in the New Testament, its singular appearance offers a profound insight. It does more than simply mean "to break"; it captures the intense, crushing emotional pain experienced in a moment of loving conflict. Through this one word, we see the deep humanity of Paul and the immense personal cost he was willing to endure for his unwavering commitment to the name of the Lord Jesus.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

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.

G2799 κλαίω of uncertain affinity; to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently):--bewail, weep. G2588 καρδία prolonged from a primary (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by G1210 δέω a primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively):--bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See a G599 ἀποθνήσκω from ἀπό and θνήσκω; to die off (literally or figuratively):--be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with).

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

1 verse, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.