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συνάγω

synágō

G4863 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To bring together or assemble, to cause people or things to gather in a common place or group. In extended usage, to collect, convene, or bring together in a purposeful or organized manner. The core meaning emphasizes the action of gathering entities (people, objects, information) from various places into a unified whole. Additional senses include: to convene a group for a specific purpose (such as a meeting or feast), to gather in (as in harvest or information), to take in as guests or entertain (less common, but present in hospitality contexts), and, in a legal setting, to convene for deliberation.

Semantic Range

to assemble (people), to gather together (objects or persons), to convene for a purpose (meeting, religious event), to collect (e.g., harvest, information), to bring in (as guests), to entertain or receive, to gather information or facts

Root / Etymology

From the preposition σύν ('with, together') and the verb ἄγω ('to lead, to bring'), forming a compound that literally means 'to bring together.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, συνάγω is attested with both literal and figurative uses: bringing people, armies, or objects together, or leading in a more abstract sense (e.g., gathering thoughts). In the Septuagint, it is commonly used for assembling the Israelite community, gathering people for worship, census, or battle. In the New Testament, it frequently refers to convening people—whether for religious assemblies (e.g., synagogue gatherings, crowds listening to Jesus), collecting items (e.g., harvests, food), or metaphorically gathering information. The English word 'gather' conveys much but not all of the nuance: 'convene,' 'assemble,' and sometimes 'bring in' may be more precise depending on context. The verb is semantically distinct from simple 'to come' (ἔρχομαι) or 'to go' (πορεύομαι), because it implies intentionality in bringing together multiple entities. The related noun συναγωγή ('assembly, synagogue') comes from the same root, illustrating the semantic development from a general activity ('gathering') to an institutional context (the local Judean meeting-place). While English translations often use 'gather,' 'assemble,' 'bring together,' or similar expressions, the sense of deliberate, purposeful gathering (whether of people, objects, or information) should be maintained. Less commonly, as in some Hellenistic texts, it can have a specialized sense of 'entertain as guest.'

Translation Consistency

primary "gather" 57 occurrences

synágō primarily means to bring together or assemble people or things; the most natural, common English verb that covers assembling, convening, collecting (harvest, information), and bringing in guests is “gather.” It is more idiomatic than alternatives like “assemble” or “bring” and matches the majority P2 renderings (e.g., “gathered”), making it the best single consistent base verb for all forms of G4863.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"brought together" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and ἄγω; to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably):--+ accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.

Root Family

συνάγω (synagō) — to bring together, to gather, to assemble, to convene

Root συν-αγ- to bring together, to gather, to assemble, to convene

Word Forms

28 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4863-21 συνήχθησαν sunechthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were gathered together they were brought together they were gathered together 9
G4863-25 συνήγαγον sunegagon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL gathered they brought together they gathered together 4
G4863-20 συνήχθη sunechthe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was gathered was brought together was gathered together 4
G4863-28 συνηγμένων sunegmenon V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL when they were gathered together of those having been gathered together of those having been gathered together 3
G4863-15 συνάγων sunagon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG gather the one bringing together gathering 3
G4863-07 συναγαγεῖν sunagagein V AOR ACT INF to gather to bring together to gather 3
G4863-27 συνηγμένοι sunegmenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL assembled together having been brought together having been gathered 3
G4863-23 συνηγάγετέ sunegagete V AOR ACT IND 2P PL you took in you brought together you brought together 2
G4863-17 συνάγουσιν sunagousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they gather they are gathering together they are gathering together 2
G4863-04 συναχθήσονται sunachthesontai V FUT PASS IND 3P PL shall be gathered they will be brought together they will be gathered together 2

Occurrences in Scripture

59 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4863-09 Matthew 2:4 συναγαγὼν sunagagon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having gathered having brought together having gathered
G4863-18 Matthew 3:12 συνάξει sunaxei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG gather he will gather together he will gather together
G4863-17 Matthew 6:26 συνάγουσιν sunagousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they gather they are gathering together they are gathering together
G4863-15 Matthew 12:30 συνάγων sunagon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG gather the one bringing together gathering
G4863-21 Matthew 13:2 συνήχθησαν sunechthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL were gathered together they were brought together they were gathered together
G4863-08 Matthew 13:30 συναγάγετε sunagagete V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL gather Bring together! Gather together!
G4863-11 Matthew 13:47 συναγαγούσῃ sunagagouse V AOR ACT PTCP DAT F SG gathering having gathered together having gathered together
G4863-27 Matthew 18:20 συνηγμένοι sunegmenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL gathered-together having been brought together having been gathered
G4863-25 Matthew 22:10 συνήγαγον sunegagon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL gathered they brought together they gathered together
G4863-21 Matthew 22:34 συνήχθησαν sunechthesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL they were gathered together they were brought together they were gathered together
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