συναναβαίνω

synanabaínō

G4872 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To ascend, go up, or travel upward together with others; in context, describes accompanying someone or a group on a physical ascent, such as approaching a city, region, or elevated place, particularly in association with others moving at the same time and for a shared purpose. The core meaning is joint movement or traveling upward together, often with implications of shared participation or purpose.

Semantic Range

to go up together, to ascend in company, to accompany on an ascent, to travel upward together, to participate in joint upward movement

Root / Etymology

Formed from σύν (with, together) and ἀναβαίνω (to go up, to ascend). The prepositional prefix emphasizes the collective or joint nature of the action, while the verb ἀναβαίνω indicates motion upward.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb συναναβαίνω occurs rarely in extant Greek and is particularly attested in the context of Hellenistic and Koine sources, including the New Testament (e.g., Galatians 2:1) where it describes accompanying on a journey upward—literally or metaphorically. In biblical usage, 'going up' often refers to traveling to Jerusalem, which was situated on higher ground and carried symbolic weight as a place of pilgrimage or communal assembly. The sense of companionship ('with') is essential, contrasting with ἀναβαίνω (to go up alone) or πορεύομαι (to travel). English translations like 'go up with' or 'ascend together' often convey the intended meaning, but may obscure the word's focus on shared action or purpose. The compound verb is more specific than general terms for traveling together, highlighting not just movement, but shared upward movement, whether geographically or in status/occasion. The term is rare in classical Greek, with Koine usage reflecting Jewish and early Christian pilgrimage or travel idioms.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and ἀναβαίνω; to ascend in company with:--come up with.

Root Family

συναναβαιν- (synanabaínō) — to ascend together, to go up with others

Root συναναβαιν- to ascend together, to go up with others

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4872-01 συναναβᾶσαι sunanabasai V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F PL having-come-up having ascended together having ascended together 1
G4872-02 συναναβᾶσιν sunanabasin V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M PL who had come up to those having gone up together having gone up together 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4872-01 Mark 15:41 συναναβᾶσαι sunanabasai V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F PL having-come-up having ascended together having ascended together
G4872-02 Acts 13:31 συναναβᾶσιν sunanabasin V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M PL who had come up to those having gone up together having gone up together