παρατυγχάνω
paratynchánō
G3909 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to come upon by chance, to happen to encounter, to meet with (someone or something) unexpectedly or by coincidence. The primary lexical meaning is to encounter or meet accidentally, often with the nuance that the meeting is not planned or foreseen. In some contexts, it can also mean to be present at or come upon an event or situation unintentionally.
Semantic Range
to come upon by chance, to meet with unexpectedly, to chance near, to be present at (accidentally), to encounter by coincidence
Root / Etymology
From the preposition παρά (beside, near) and the verb τυγχάνω (to chance upon, to happen to, to obtain), forming a compound indicating the sense of encountering by chance, especially in proximity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb παρατυγχάνω occurs only rarely in Greek literature, with few attestations, and is considered a Koine-era and later formation. In the New Testament it is found in Luke 10:31 and 10:32, describing the priest and the Levite who 'happened upon' (came across) a man left wounded on the road. The verb emphasizes the accidental or coincidental nature of the encounter, with no indication of prior intention or plan. In classical Greek, the root verb τυγχάνω conveys the sense of obtaining, happening to, or meeting by chance, and with the compound prefix παρά, the sense is to come near or beside by chance. English translations typically render παρατυγχάνω as 'came by,' 'happened upon,' or 'passed by and saw,' but these may underplay the element of coincidence or lack of intentionality present in the Greek term. There is no strong theological or technical sense but rather a descriptive, narrative use emphasizing that the meeting or event was unplanned. The term does not carry the semantic weight of more intentional verbs such as συναντάω (to meet with intentionally).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from παρά and τυγχάνω; to chance near, i.e. fall in with:--meet with.
Root Family
τυγχ- (epitynchánō) — to meet, to obtain, to attain, to chance upon
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2013 | ἐπιτυγχάνω | attained |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3909-01 |
παρατυγχάνοντας | paratugchanontas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
who happened to be there | accidentally encountering | those encountering by chance | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3909-01 |
Acts 17:17 | παρατυγχάνοντας | paratugchanontas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
who happened to be there | accidentally encountering | those encountering by chance |