συγκρίνω
synkrínō
G4793 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To consider, interpret, or explain one thing by connecting or comparing it with another; more specifically, to bring together (ideas, texts, persons) in such a way as to render them mutually intelligible, to correlate, or to compare for clarification or contrast. In specialized contexts, may also mean to interpret by bringing together corresponding concepts (e.g., relating spiritual insights to words).
Semantic Range
to compare, to examine side by side, to interpret by relating things to each other, to synthesize or elucidate by bringing together, to collate, to juxtapose for clarification
Root / Etymology
From the preposition σύν ('with, together') and the verb κρίνω ('to judge, to discern, to distinguish'). Thus, συγκρίνω literally means 'to judge together' or 'to assess by bringing together.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, συγκρίνω originally meant 'to compare, to examine together,' with uses in philosophy and rhetoric for 'setting side by side' for the purposes of discernment, appreciation, or evaluation (cf. Plato, Aristotle). The sense of 'interpreting by relating' emerges in Hellenistic and later Greek, especially in rhetorical and exegetical contexts. In the Septuagint and New Testament (notably 1 Corinthians 2:13), the word goes beyond simple juxtaposition; it includes 'elucidating,' i.e., clarifying one thing by relating it meaningfully to another. English translations often render συγκρίνω as 'compare,' 'interpret,' or 'combine,' but this may miss the sense of intellectual or spiritual synthesis the term can imply, especially in Pauline usage (where it refers to explaining spiritual matters in spiritual terms). The range of reference thus covers both direct comparison (analogy, contrast) and interpretive synthesis.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and κρίνω; to judge of one thing in connection with another, i.e. combine (spiritual ideas with appropriate expressions) or collate (one person with another by way of contrast or resemblance):--compare among (with).
Root Family
συγκριν- (synkrínō) — to judge together, to compare, to correlate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G799 | Ἀσύγκριτος | Incomparable one |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4793-02 |
συνκρίνοντες | sunkrinontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
comparing | bringing together for comparison | bringing together for comparison | 2 |
G4793-01 |
συνκρῖναι | sunkrinai | V AOR ACT INF |
to compare | to judge together | to compare | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4793-02 |
1 Corinthians 2:13 | συνκρίνοντες | sunkrinontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
comparing | bringing together for comparison | bringing together for comparison |
G4793-01 |
2 Corinthians 10:12 | συνκρῖναι | sunkrinai | V AOR ACT INF |
to compare | to judge together | to compare |
G4793-02 |
2 Corinthians 10:12 | συνκρίνοντες | sunkrinontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
comparing | bringing together for comparison | comparing |