ἐπισύστασις
episýstasis
G1999
SILEX Entry
Definition
A gathering or coming together, often with the nuance of a hostile assembly or uprising; specifically denotes a group forming with intent or a tumultuous assembly, such as a riot, but can also refer to a confrontation or opposition. Primarily used to describe the act or result of a group assembling, especially in opposition or disturbance.
Semantic Range
hostile assembly, uprising, disturbance, riot, group confrontation, conspiracy, tumultuous gathering, insurrection
Root / Etymology
Derived from the verb συνίστημι (to bring together, to cause to stand with) with the prefix ἐπί (upon, over), literally 'a standing together upon'; the form ἐπισύστασις means 'an uprising' or 'assembly upon' and is formed as a verbal noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Hellenistic and Koine usage, ἐπισύστασις often refers to a gathering with the character of an opposition, such as a conspiracy, insurrection, or riot, particularly in a legal or political context. In the Septuagint it is rare; in the New Testament, the term appears in Acts (e.g., Acts 24:12) referring to a disturbance or crowd assembled with hostile intent. English translations sometimes render it as 'uproar,' 'riot,' or 'concourse,' but these may not fully capture the underlying sense of a movement or assembly arising with purpose, often disruptive. The word can be contrasted with more neutral terms for gathering such as συναγωγή (assembly) or ἐκκλησία (assembly, congregation), since ἐπισύστασις generally implies tension or opposition. There is no direct one-to-one English equivalent; the nuance depends on context, often indicating not just assembling but specifically an agitated or purposeful forming of a group, especially for protest or confrontation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the middle voice of a compound of ἐπί and συνιστάω; a conspiracy, i.e. concourse (riotous or friendly):--that which cometh upon, + raising up.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.