συναίρω

synaírō

G4868 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To bring together or collect (especially information or numbers) for the purpose of reckoning or calculation; to sum up, calculate, account for. Most commonly, to add up amounts (as with financial or moral accounts); in broader usage, to come to a conclusion by bringing facts together, to settle or reconcile (accounts, obligations, or issues).

Semantic Range

to collect or gather together, to sum up (figures or facts), to compute or reckon amounts, to settle or reconcile accounts, to come to a conclusion by combining information

Root / Etymology

From the preposition σύν (with, together) and the verb αἴρω (to lift, to take up, to carry), yielding the sense of 'to lift up together' or 'to bring together'. The prefix intensifies the collecting or summing action of the verb.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, συναίρω primarily means to collect or bring together, especially in the sense of collecting things into a sum (e.g., summing up grain, accounts, facts). In Koine, especially in the New Testament (Matthew 18:23-24), it often refers to the formal reckoning or settling of accounts, particularly financial or moral accounts. The verb can also be used metaphorically for making a comprehensive assessment by gathering relevant information. In the Septuagint, usage is rare but can reflect administrative or ritual calculation. English translations like 'reckon' or 'take account' are contextually accurate but may miss the nuance of active gathering and summing together. The meaning remains closely tied to its compound root, emphasizing the notion of assembling for the purpose of summing or evaluating collectively. Compared to the simple αἴρω (to lift), the compound focuses not on physical lifting but on the conceptual act of bringing disparate elements together into a synthesized result.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and αἴρω; to make up together, i.e. (figuratively) to compute (an account):--reckon, take.

Root Family

συναίρω (synaírō) — bring together, lift up together, sum, compute, reconcile

Root συν-αἴρ- to bring together, to lift up, to sum

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4868-02 συναίρειν sunairein V PRS ACT INF to reckon to sum up to settle accounts 1
G4868-03 συνᾶραι sunarai V AOR ACT INF to settle to sum up to settle 1
G4868-01 συναίρει sunairei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG reckons sums up settles 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4868-03 Matthew 18:23 συνᾶραι sunarai V AOR ACT INF to settle to sum up to settle
G4868-02 Matthew 18:24 συναίρειν sunairein V PRS ACT INF to reckon to sum up to settle accounts
G4868-01 Matthew 25:19 συναίρει sunairei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG reckons sums up settles