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συνανάκειμαι

synanákeimai

G4873 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To recline together with others, particularly at a dining table; to participate in a meal by lying or leaning on one’s side in company. The primary meaning is to take one’s place at a meal with others, and, by extension, to join in a communal dining or symposium setting. In context, it refers especially to the Greco-Roman custom of dining while partially lying on couches.

Semantic Range

to recline at table together, to take part in a meal with others, to share a banquet or symposium, to participate in communal dining by reclining

Root / Etymology

Compound of σύν (“with, together”) and ἀνακεῖμαι (“to recline, to lie down” [at a table for a meal]). The phraseology reflects the social practice of joint mealtime reclining rather than seated dining.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Greco-Roman antiquity, both the symposium (drinking gathering) and the banquet (formal dining event) typically involved reclining on couches, with guests positioned around a central table. συνανάκειμαι is thus a culturally marked term referring specifically to this posture and setting. In the Hellenistic and Roman-period eastern Mediterranean, this form of shared dining signified status, equality among participants, and could also cross boundaries of social class and ethnicity. In the Gospels and related literature, the word is used to describe Jesus sharing meals with a range of guests, which, given cultural associations of table fellowship, often signaled acceptance, affiliation, or controversy. The word does not merely mean 'to sit together' or 'to dine,' but carries these visual and social connotations. Standard translations like 'to sit at table with' or 'to dine with' may not fully convey the cultural specificity of reclining at a meal. Distinct from συναυλίζομαι ('to lodge together') or συναγείρομαι ('to assemble together'), συνανάκειμαι refers particularly to the act of reclining at meals. The practice fades as a norm in later periods and is less recognizable in modern eating customs.

Translation Consistency

primary "recline" 8 occurrences

The primary semantic range centers on taking one’s place at a meal by lying or leaning on one’s side with others—i.e., the Greco‑Roman custom of reclining at table. 'Recline' is the single, natural English verb that preserves that distinctive posture and is the most common sense in the attested occurrences (rendered as 'reclining'). 'Dine' or 'share' could work for general eating, but 'recline' best captures the specific cultural meaning.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and ἀνακεῖμαι; to recline in company with (at a meal):--sit (down, at the table, together) with (at meat).

Root Family

συνανάκειμ- (synanákeimai) — to be with, to recline, to lie at table

Root συνανάκειμ- to be with, to recline, to lie at table

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4873-03 συνανακειμένων sunanakeimenon V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL reclining at table of those reclining together at table of those reclining together at table 2
G4873-04 συνανακειμένους sunanakeimenous V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL dinner guests those reclining together at table those reclining together at table 2
G4873-05 συνανέκειντο sunanekeinto V IMPF MID IND 3P PL were reclining they were reclining together at table they were reclining together at table 2
G4873-01 συνανακείμενοι sunanakeimenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL who were reclining at table with reclining together at table reclining together at table 1
G4873-02 συνανακειμένοις sunanakeimenois V PRS MID PTCP DAT M PL reclining with to those reclining together at table reclining together at table 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4873-05 Matthew 9:10 συνανέκειντο sunanekeinto V IMPF MID IND 3P PL were reclining they were reclining together at table they were reclining together at table
G4873-04 Matthew 14:9 συνανακειμένους sunanakeimenous V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL dinner guests those reclining together at table those reclining together at table
G4873-05 Mark 2:15 συνανέκειντο sunanekeinto V IMPF MID IND 3P PL were-reclining-with they were reclining together at table they were reclining together at table
G4873-02 Mark 6:22 συνανακειμένοις sunanakeimenois V PRS MID PTCP DAT M PL reclining with to those reclining together at table reclining together at table
G4873-04 Mark 6:26 συνανακειμένους sunanakeimenous V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL guests those reclining together at table those reclining together at table
G4873-01 Luke 7:49 συνανακείμενοι sunanakeimenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL who were reclining at table with reclining together at table reclining together at table
G4873-03 Luke 14:10 συνανακειμένων sunanakeimenon V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL who sit with of those reclining together at table of those reclining together at table
G4873-03 Luke 14:15 συνανακειμένων sunanakeimenon V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL reclining at table of those reclining together at table of those reclining together at table
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