συγκαθίζω

synkathízō

G4776 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to sit together with (someone), to cause to be seated in company with others; in certain contexts, to cause groups or persons to share a position of association or equality (either physically or as a metaphor for social status or spiritual standing). It can express both the literal act of sitting together and the bringing together of persons into a shared status or relationship.

Semantic Range

to sit together with others, to be caused to sit in company with, to appoint or include someone in a group, to assign joint status, to share a seat or position; metaphorically, to join in association or relationship

Root / Etymology

From the preposition σύν ('with, together with') and the verb καθίζω ('to sit, to cause to sit, to appoint'). The prefix σύν confers a sense of joint action or association.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, composite verbs with σύν often indicate joint participation or community, whether physical or metaphorical. συγκαθίζω appears infrequently, with most attestations in the Septuagint or later Christian literature—for example, in the New Testament (Ephesians 2:6) as a metaphor for shared spiritual elevation, not merely physical seating. The verb implies more than mere physical proximity; it can connote incorporation, inclusion, or conferral of status. Standard English translations such as 'sit together', 'make... sit together', or 'have... seated together' may obscure the force of mutuality or shared status. Related verbs such as συνεδριάζω focus on sitting together in council or assembly, while συγκαθίζω is more general or relational. Lexical nuance depends on whether the subject is passively or actively involved: being seated together vs. seating others together.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and καθίζω; to give (or take) a seat in company with:--(make) sit (down) together.

Root Family

συγκαθίζω (synkathizō) — to sit with, to cause to sit together, to place in company

Root συγκαθιζ- to sit with, to cause to sit together, to place in company

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4776-01 συνεκάθισεν sunekathisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG seated us together was seating together he seated together 1
G4776-02 συνκαθισάντων sunkathisanton V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M PL having sat down together of those having sat together of those having sat together 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4776-02 Luke 22:55 συνκαθισάντων sunkathisanton V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M PL having sat down together of those having sat together of those having sat together
G4776-01 Ephesians 2:6 συνεκάθισεν sunekathisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG seated us together was seating together he seated together