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συζητέω

syzētéō

G4802 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To discuss together, to engage in conversation or debate, often with an emphasis on mutual examination of an issue. Core meaning is 'to converse or dispute with someone,' with senses including discussing, debating, arguing, or examining a matter jointly, sometimes with the connotation of challenging or contesting opinions. In various contexts, the word can range from neutral joint inquiry to more adversarial debate or dispute.

Semantic Range

to discuss together, to debate, to dispute, to argue, to confer, to reason together, to contest, to jointly inquire

Root / Etymology

From the prepositional prefix σύν ('with, together') and the verb ζητέω ('to seek, to search, to inquire'), forming a compound meaning 'to seek/question together.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, συζητέω generally means 'to discuss together' or 'to confer.' In the New Testament and other Koine sources, its usage often shades toward argumentative discussion or debate, especially over issues of law or doctrine (e.g., Mark 8:11, Acts 6:9). In the LXX, its occurrences reflect the same sense of joint inquiry but are rarer. The standard English translations ('dispute,' 'question,' 'argue') may not reflect the range from neutral inquiry to hostile debate; context determines the tone. συζητέω is more dialogical than ζητέω (which is simply 'to seek' or 'to inquire'), because it inherently involves more than one party. Contrast with διαλέγομαι (to hold a discourse, discuss) which can be more formal or didactic.

Translation Consistency

primary "discuss" 6 occurrences

The word’s primary sense is a mutual examination or conversation; “discuss” is the most natural, neutral English verb that covers joint inquiry, debate, and dispute without forcing an adversarial tone. It matches the SILEX range and the attested renderings, and will read naturally in all inflected forms while allowing context to signal stronger senses (debate/dispute) when needed.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"disputing" (1x) "jointly debating" (1x) "disputing together" (1x) "debating" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and ζητέω; to investigate jointly, i.e. discuss, controvert, cavil:--dispute (with), enquire, question (with), reason (together).

Root Family

ζητ- (ekzētéō) — to seek, to inquire, to search

Root ζητ- to seek, to inquire, to discuss, to debate
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1567 ἐκζητέω having thoroughly sought out
G1934 ἐπιζητέω sought out intently
G2212 ζητέω was seeking
G2213 ζήτημα matters of inquiry
G2214 ζήτησις inquiries

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4802-02 συνζητεῖν sunzetein V PRS ACT INF discussing to discuss together to discuss together 4
G4802-05 συνζητοῦντες sunzetountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL disputing those discussing together those discussing together 2
G4802-01 συνεζήτει sunezetei V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG he disputed he was debating he was debating 1
G4802-03 συνζητεῖτε sunzeteite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL are you discussing you are jointly debating you are jointly debating 1
G4802-04 συνζητοῦντας sunzetountas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL disputing discussing together disputing 1
G4802-06 συνζητούντων sunzetounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL reasoning together of those debating together disputing together 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4802-02 Mark 1:27 συνζητεῖν sunzetein V PRS ACT INF they questioned to discuss together to discuss together
G4802-02 Mark 8:11 συνζητεῖν sunzetein V PRS ACT INF to argue to discuss together to discuss together
G4802-05 Mark 9:10 συνζητοῦντες sunzetountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL questioning those discussing together those discussing together
G4802-04 Mark 9:14 συνζητοῦντας sunzetountas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL disputing discussing together disputing
G4802-03 Mark 9:16 συνζητεῖτε sunzeteite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL are you discussing you are jointly debating you are jointly debating
G4802-06 Mark 12:28 συνζητούντων sunzetounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL reasoning together of those debating together disputing together
G4802-02 Luke 22:23 συνζητεῖν sunzetein V PRS ACT INF to debate to discuss together to discuss together
G4802-02 Luke 24:15 συνζητεῖν sunzetein V PRS ACT INF discussing to discuss together discussing together
G4802-05 Acts 6:9 συνζητοῦντες sunzetountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL disputing those discussing together those discussing together
G4802-01 Acts 9:29 συνεζήτει sunezetei V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG he disputed he was debating he was debating
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