συνθρύπτω

synthrýptō

G4919 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To shatter or break together; to so break or crush that something is greatly damaged or rendered incapable. By extension, to figuratively overwhelm, devastate, or render powerless, especially in reference to psychological or emotional state (e.g., to crush in spirit, to dishearten). The primary sense is an intensive form of breaking, focusing on the completeness or thoroughness of the shattering.

Semantic Range

to shatter completely, to crush together, to break down (literally), to be emotionally overwhelmed or dispirited (figuratively), to render powerless or ineffective

Root / Etymology

From σύν ('with, together') and θρύπτω ('to break, crush, shatter'). It is a compound verb meaning 'to break/crush together.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

συνθρύπτω is a rare verb, found primarily in Koine sources and not attested in earlier classical Greek. In the New Testament, it appears with both literal (physical breaking) and figurative (emotional or spiritual crushing) sense, especially in contexts describing people who are 'broken' in heart or spirit. Septuagint usage may parallel the Hebrew רָצַץ ('to crush, break'). Later translation traditions render it simply as 'break,' but the Greek often expresses a more intense or comprehensive kind of destruction—sometimes extending to mental or spiritual states. Thus, 'to dispirit' in English does not capture the fullness of the original meaning, which encompasses both physical and inner devastation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and (to crumble); to crush together, i.e. (figuratively) to dispirit:--break.

Root Family

συνθρύπτω (synthryptō) — to break, to shatter, to crush

Root θρύπ- to break, to shatter, to crush

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4919-01 συνθρύπτοντές sunthruptontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL breaking shattering together crushing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4919-01 Acts 21:13 συνθρύπτοντές sunthruptontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL breaking shattering together crushing