← G4891 G4893 →

συνέδριον

synédrion

G4892 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An assembly or council convened for deliberation or judgment; particularly, a formal group acting as an authoritative body in political, legal, or religious matters. In specific contexts, especially in the Roman and Second Temple periods, refers to high-level local or central governing councils, including but not limited to the Jerusalem council of Judean leaders (commonly known as the Sanhedrin), as well as similar ruling bodies elsewhere.

Semantic Range

assembly, council, governing body, tribunal, formal meeting, the Jerusalem council of Judean authorities ('Sanhedrin'), local court or council

Root / Etymology

From the preposition σύν (with, together) and ἕδρα (seat, sitting place), forming συνέδριον as 'a sitting together', i.e., an assembly or council. The formation parallels late classical and Hellenistic patterns for naming official bodies. No direct Hebrew or Aramaic origin; it was adapted in Greek contexts for Israelite/Judean assemblies in translation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, συνέδριον denoted any assembly, council, or deliberative body, not specific to Judean institutions. In the Hellenistic world, it could refer to municipal councils, advisory boards, or tribunals. In the Septuagint and Philo, it was used to render Hebrew/Aramaic terms for Israelite or Judean councils, including the governing body in Jerusalem. In the New Testament, usually refers to the formal Judean council (often called the Sanhedrin), but can also denote local assemblies or tribunals (e.g., Matt 10:17). Later English translations often equate this exclusively with the concept of the 'Sanhedrin,' but the Greek term is broader and is also attested in non-Judean Greek sources for other communal or governing councils. 'Sanhedrin' itself is a transliteration of the Greek; the modern English 'council' sometimes obscures the specifically formal and judicial nature of these assemblies.

Translation Consistency

primary "council" 22 occurrences

Most natural and widely used English equivalent for συνέδριον in its typical political/religious sense. It covers the range from a formal assembly or governing body to a tribunal (including the Sanhedrin) and matches the most frequent renderings in the P2 set. Using “council” ensures consistent, idiomatic translation across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a presumed derivative of a compound of σύν and the base of ἑδραῖος; a joint session, i.e. (specially), the Jewish Sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal:--council.

Root Family

συν-εδρ- (synédrion) — to sit together, to assemble, to deliberate

Root συν-εδρ- to sit together, to assemble, to deliberate

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4892-03 Συνέδριον sunedrion N NOM N SG council deliberative council deliberative council 10
G4892-02 Συνεδρίῳ sunedrio N DAT N SG council to the council to the council 7
G4892-04 Συνεδρίου sunedriou N GEN N SG council of the council council 3
G4892-01 συνέδρια sunedria N ACC N PL councils councils councils 2

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4892-02 Matthew 5:22 Συνεδρίῳ sunedrio N DAT N SG Sanhedrin to the council to the council
G4892-01 Matthew 10:17 συνέδρια sunedria N ACC N PL councils councils councils
G4892-03 Matthew 26:59 Συνέδριον sunedrion N NOM N SG Sanhedrin deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-01 Mark 13:9 συνέδρια sunedria N ACC N PL courts councils councils
G4892-03 Mark 14:55 Συνέδριον sunedrion N NOM N SG Sanhedrin deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-03 Mark 15:1 Συνέδριον sunedrion N NOM N SG Sanhedrin deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-03 Luke 22:66 Συνέδριον sunedrion N ACC N SG council deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-03 John 11:47 Συνέδριον sunedrion N ACC N SG council deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-04 Acts 4:15 Συνεδρίου sunedriou N GEN N SG council of the council council
G4892-03 Acts 5:21 Συνέδριον sunedrion N ACC N SG council deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-02 Acts 5:27 Συνεδρίῳ sunedrio N DAT N SG Council to the council to the council
G4892-02 Acts 5:34 Συνεδρίῳ sunedrio N DAT N SG council to the council to the council
G4892-04 Acts 5:41 Συνεδρίου sunedriou N GEN N SG of the council of the council council
G4892-03 Acts 6:12 Συνέδριον sunedrion N ACC N SG council deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-02 Acts 6:15 Συνεδρίῳ sunedrio N DAT N SG council to the council to the council
G4892-03 Acts 22:30 Συνέδριον sunedrion N ACC N SG council deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-02 Acts 23:1 Συνεδρίῳ sunedrio N DAT N SG council to the council to the council
G4892-02 Acts 23:6 Συνεδρίῳ sunedrio N DAT N SG council to the council to the council
G4892-02 Acts 23:15 Συνεδρίῳ sunedrio N DAT N SG council to the council to the council
G4892-03 Acts 23:20 Συνέδριον sunedrion N ACC N SG council deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-03 Acts 23:28 Συνέδριον sunedrion N ACC N SG council deliberative council deliberative council
G4892-04 Acts 24:20 Συνεδρίου sunedriou N GEN N SG council of the council council
← G4891 Greek Lexicon G4893 →