συναντάω (G4876) — Greek Lexicon

συναντάω

synantáō

G4876 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To come face-to-face with, to encounter someone or something, deliberately or by chance. In narrative and dialogue, συναντάω often describes a meeting or coming together of people, whether planned or unexpected. Contextually, it can refer to a neutral, hostile, or positive meeting. The core meaning involves direct, in-person interaction or confrontation. In some textual contexts, it may also refer to something (often unfavorable) 'befalling' someone, i.e., an event or circumstance 'meeting' a person.

Semantic Range

to meet (personally or by appointment), to encounter (unexpectedly or purposefully), to confront, to befall (of an event or circumstance), to come face-to-face

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition σύν ('with, together with') and a verb derived from ἀντί ('opposite, against'), built on the idea of coming together in opposition or position. The -αντάω element relates to ἀντάω, 'to meet, come against, oppose.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, the related verb ἀντάω meant 'to meet, to come against,' sometimes with a confrontational nuance. The prefix σύν intensifies or clarifies the sense of joining or encountering together rather than merely standing opposite. In Koine Greek, συναντάω appears primarily in narratives for neutral or significant personal encounters—often the meeting of notable persons or groups. Septuagint usage is rare and usually literal. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 8:27; 14:31), the verb marks important interpersonal encounters, sometimes with the sense of confrontation. Figuratively, it can convey that a circumstance 'meets' or 'befalls' someone, though this is less common. English translations often use 'meet' or 'encounter,' which generally capture the root sense, but 'befall' (as in 'something met him') derives from contexts where the occurrence feels impersonal or fateful. Related terms include συνέρχομαι ('to come together, to assemble'), but συναντάω is more specific to the face-to-face or direct encounter.

Translation Consistency

primary "meet" 0 occurrences

'Meet' is the most natural, common English verb that covers the typical senses of συναντάω — to come together with, to encounter (planned or unexpected), and to confront. It is widely used in narrative and dialogue and can also render the occasional 'befall' sense in natural English (e.g., ‘what met him’). Choosing 'meet' ensures consistent, idiomatic translation across all forms.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):

"met" (2x) "having encountered" (2x) "encounter" (1x) "about-to-encounter things" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and a derivative of ἀντί; to meet with; figuratively, to occur:--befall, meet.

Root Family

συναντάω (synantaō) — to meet, to encounter, to come face-to-face with

Root συναντ- to meet, to encounter, to come together face-to-face

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4876-01`	συναντήσας	sunantesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having met	having encountered	having encountered	2
`G4876-04`	συνήντησεν	sunentesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	met	he/she encountered face-to-face	met	2
`G4876-03`	συναντήσοντά	sunantesonta	`V FUT ACT PTCP ACC N PL`	will-happen	about-to-encounter things	about-to-encounter things	1
`G4876-02`	συναντήσει	sunantesei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will meet	will encounter	will encounter	1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4876-04`	Luke 9:37	συνήντησεν	sunentesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	met	he/she encountered face-to-face	met
`G4876-02`	Luke 22:10	συναντήσει	sunantesei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will meet	will encounter	will encounter
`G4876-01`	Acts 10:25	συναντήσας	sunantesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having met	having encountered	having encountered
`G4876-03`	Acts 20:22	συναντήσοντά	sunantesonta	`V FUT ACT PTCP ACC N PL`	will-happen	about-to-encounter things	about-to-encounter things
`G4876-01`	Hebrews 7:1	συναντήσας	sunantesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	met	having encountered	having encountered
`G4876-04`	Hebrews 7:10	συνήντησεν	sunentesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	met	he/she encountered face-to-face	met

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