συνθλάω (G4917) — Greek Lexicon

συνθλάω

synthláō

G4917 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To break by forcing together, to crush by impact or collision; more specifically, to shatter or smash into pieces by the action of two or more objects coming together. The verb primarily denotes the action of breaking apart through a joint or united striking or crushing, often resulting in complete destruction or fragmentation.

Semantic Range

to shatter by joint impact, to smash together, to crush completely, to break in pieces; by extension, to overwhelm or devastate (figurative)

Root / Etymology

From the preposition σύν ('with, together') and θλάω ('to crush, to break'). The compound intensifies the sense of breakage by indicating collective or simultaneous force.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb συνθλάω is rare in extant Greek literature and is primarily found in later and biblical Greek, such as the New Testament (e.g., Luke 4:18, where it is used of those who are 'crushed' or 'broken in pieces'). The classical root θλάω alone expresses breaking or crushing; the prefix σύν emphasizes the action as occurring jointly, either by multiple agents or by a collective force. The word often denotes not just physical breakage but, in some contexts, figurative crushing or overwhelming (e.g., of persons or spirits). English translations usually render it as 'break' or 'shatter,' but the sense of being shattered by combined force may be understated in such renderings. In the Septuagint and Hellenistic Greek, similar constructions often convey ruin or the swift, violent destruction of objects or persons. It is distinct from verbs such as κατακλάω ('to break down, break up') in that συνθλάω emphasizes the joint or simultaneous nature of the impact.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and thlao (to crush); to dash together, i.e. shatter:--break.

Root Family

συνθλάω (synthlaō) — to break, to crush, to shatter

Root θλάω, συν- to break, to crush, to shatter

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4917-01`	συνθλασθήσεται	sunthlasthesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	will be broken to pieces	will be shattered to pieces	will be shattered to pieces	2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4917-01`	Matthew 21:44	συνθλασθήσεται	sunthlasthesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	will be broken to pieces	will be shattered to pieces	will be shattered to pieces
`G4917-01`	Luke 20:18	συνθλασθήσεται	sunthlasthesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	will be broken to pieces	will be shattered to pieces	will be shattered to pieces

← G4916 Greek Lexicon G4918 →