συνθλίβω
synthlíbō
G4918 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To compress or press together from all sides; to crush or squeeze together, especially as in a crowd or through physical force. The word can imply being crowded, oppressed, or hemmed in by external pressure. In extension, it can connote distress or being pressed upon, either literally (physical crowding, thronging) or metaphorically (oppressive circumstances).
Semantic Range
to press together, to crowd closely, to crush, to oppress by crowding, to throng, to be hemmed in or afflicted by pressure
Root / Etymology
From σύν (together, with) and θλίβω (to press, squeeze, crush). The prefix σύν intensifies or specifies the action as happening collectively or in combination.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, συνθλίβω is rare, appearing more frequently in medical and technical literature describing bones being crushed or organs compressed. By the Hellenistic period, it occurs in descriptions of being pressed together in crowds or by physical force. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it retains this core sense of being hemmed in, crowded, or crushed under pressure. English translations often render the term as 'throng,' 'crowd,' or 'press hard,' but these do not always capture the full nuance, which may also include the sense of distress caused by pressure. Related to θλίβω, which on its own commonly refers to pressing, affliction, or oppression, but the composite with σύν indicates collective or intensive force.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and θλίβω; to compress, i.e. crowd on all sides:--throng.
Root Family
συνθλίβω (synthlibō) — to compress, to crush, to squeeze together
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4918-02 |
συνθλίβοντά | sunthlibonta | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG |
pressing | pressing together | pressing | 1 |
G4918-01 |
συνέθλιβον | sunethlibon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they thronged | they were pressing together | they were thronging | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4918-01 |
Mark 5:24 | συνέθλιβον | sunethlibon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they thronged | they were pressing together | they were thronging |
G4918-02 |
Mark 5:31 | συνθλίβοντά | sunthlibonta | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG |
pressing | pressing together | pressing |