συμπνίγω
sympnígō
G4846 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To press together so as to suffocate, hinder breathing, or restrict movement; in literal sense, to compress tightly and cause asphyxiation (strangle, choke, drown); figuratively, to crowd, overwhelm, or suppress, especially in reference to external forces or circumstances preventing intended growth or action (such as a plant being choked by thorns, or a person being crowded by a throng).
Semantic Range
to choke by pressing together, to strangle, to suffocate, to drown, to crowd densely so as to hinder movement or growth, to suppress or overwhelm (figurative)
Root / Etymology
From συν- ('with, together') + πνίγω ('to choke, strangle, suffocate'). The compound emphasizes an intensified or collective action of choking or crowding.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, συμπνίγω is rare but occurs in medical or physical contexts (e.g., describing strangulation). In Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Luke 8:14), it appears especially in metaphorical contexts, such as describing plants being choked by weeds or people being crowded by a group. The figurative sense often relates to something being suppressed or made unfruitful due to external pressures. English translations such as 'choke', 'crowd', or 'throng' do not always convey the full metaphorical nuance, particularly regarding suppression of growth or fruitfulness. The word shares semantic proximity with πνίγω, but the prefix συν- introduces an emphasis on collective sources or cumulative effect (e.g. multiple agents acting together to choke, as thorns together choking a plant).
Translation Consistency
"Choke" is the most natural, common English verb that covers the literal sense (pressing/strangling/suffocating) and the figurative senses (being crowded, suppressed, or overwhelmed). It matches the SILEX range and the attested renderings while remaining simple and idiomatic for consistent use across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and πνίγω; to strangle completely, i.e. (literally) to drown, or (figuratively) to crowd:--choke, throng.
Root Family
συμπνίγω (sympnigō) — to choke, to strangle, to crowd, to suppress
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4846-01 |
συνέπνιγον | sunepnigon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
were pressing | they were choking | were pressing | 1 |
G4846-02 |
συνέπνιξαν | sunepnixan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
choked | they choked | choked | 1 |
G4846-04 |
συνπνίγονται | sunpnigontai | V PRS PASS IND 3P PL |
are choked | are being choked | are being choked | 1 |
G4846-03 |
συνπνίγει | sunpnigei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
chokes | is choking | is choking | 1 |
G4846-05 |
συνπνίγουσιν | sunpnigousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
choke | they are choking together | choke together | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4846-03 |
Matthew 13:22 | συνπνίγει | sunpnigei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
chokes | is choking | is choking |
G4846-02 |
Mark 4:7 | συνέπνιξαν | sunepnixan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
choked | they choked | choked |
G4846-05 |
Mark 4:19 | συνπνίγουσιν | sunpnigousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
choke | they are choking together | choke together |
G4846-04 |
Luke 8:14 | συνπνίγονται | sunpnigontai | V PRS PASS IND 3P PL |
are choked | are being choked | are being choked |
G4846-01 |
Luke 8:42 | συνέπνιγον | sunepnigon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
were pressing | they were choking | were pressing |