συμπληρόω
symplēróō
G4845 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To fill completely, to fill up together with others, to bring to full measure. In particular contexts, such as nautical settings, it refers to being overtaken or swamped (as of a boat filled with water). In temporal or abstract contexts, it means to reach full completion or fulfillment (of time, opportunity, or similar). The primary sense involves the idea of reaching a complete or overflowing state, whether physically (as with vessels or spaces) or figuratively (as with periods of time or tasks).
Semantic Range
to fill up completely, to overflow or swamp (of a vessel), to reach full measure or completion (of time), to accomplish together, to collectively fulfill
Root / Etymology
From the preposition σύν ('with, together') combined with πληρόω ('to fill, make full'); thus, 'to fill together' or 'to fill completely.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Hellenistic literary Greek with the general sense of 'to fill up together,' often with a participatory nuance (multiple agents or forces acting in concert to produce fullness). In nautical contexts (e.g., Luke 8:23), συμπληρόω describes the boat becoming swamped due to being filled with water, highlighting the overwhelming or surpassing the vessel’s capacity. In other contexts (Acts 2:1), it relates to the fulfillment of time, marking the arrival of a designated or complete period. While the underlying πληρόω shares the semantic field of 'filling' or 'fulfilling,' the prefix σύν intensifies the notion of complete or collective filling. English translations sometimes obscure the participatory or thorough aspect by rendering it simply as 'come,' 'fulfilled,' or 'filled.' The term is rare in the NT and LXX but retains the 'complete fullness' nuance in both writings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and πληρόω; to implenish completely, i.e. (of space) to swamp (a boat), or (of time) to accomplish (passive, be complete):--(fully) come, fill up.
Root Family
συμπληρόω (symplēroō) — to fill, to complete, to fulfill
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4845-02 |
συνπληροῦσθαι | sunplerousthai | V PRS PASS INF |
day of Pentecost was being fulfilled | to be completely fulfilled | to be completely fulfilled | 2 |
G4845-01 |
συνεπληροῦντο | suneplerounto | V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL |
they were being filled | they were being filled completely | they were being filled | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4845-01 |
Luke 8:23 | συνεπληροῦντο | suneplerounto | V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL |
they were being filled | they were being filled completely | they were being filled |
G4845-02 |
Luke 9:51 | συνπληροῦσθαι | sunplerousthai | V PRS PASS INF |
to be fulfilled | to be completely fulfilled | to be completely fulfilled |
G4845-02 |
Acts 2:1 | συνπληροῦσθαι | sunplerousthai | V PRS PASS INF |
day of Pentecost was being fulfilled | to be completely fulfilled | to be completely fulfilled |