συνοχή (G4928) — Greek Lexicon

συνοχή

synochḗ

G4928 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state of being pressed together or held in constraint; primarily, a physical or metaphorical sense of compression or restriction. In figurative usage, it denotes a condition of severe emotional or psychological pressure, distress, or anxiety, especially a sense of constriction or being hemmed in by difficult circumstances.

Semantic Range

constriction, restraint, distress, anxiety, state of being pressed upon, emotional anguish, pressure due to external circumstances

Root / Etymology

From the verb συνέχω (synechō), meaning 'to hold together, to confine, to press upon.' Formed with the preposition συν- ('together') and ἔχω ('to have, to hold'). Thus, συνοχή literally suggests 'a holding together' or 'constriction.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, συνοχή was used for physical compression, such as a narrow pass or confining space. By the Hellenistic period and in Koine Greek (including the New Testament), its use became more figurative, focusing on emotional and psychological distress or anxiety resulting from external pressures. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 21:25; 2 Corinthians 2:4), συνοχή refers to distress or anxiety caused by threatening or overwhelming situations, often existential or eschatological in scope. While many English translations render the word as 'anguish,' 'distress,' or 'anxiety,' these capture only part of its sense—the underlying notion is of a constriction or squeezing effect, whether physical or mental. Other related terms include θλῖψις ('oppression, affliction, tribulation'), which often emphasizes pressure from tribulation or persecution, whereas συνοχή emphasizes the inner experience of being pressed or hemmed in. The noun συνοχή is less common outside biblical and Jewish-Greek texts but is attested in some Hellenistic literature with similar connotations of constraint or distress.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from συνέχω; restraint, i.e. (figuratively) anxiety:--anguish, distress.

Root Family

συνοχή (synochē) — constriction, restraint, pressure, distress, being held together

Root συνέχω to hold together, to confine, to press upon

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4928-01`	συνοχὴ	sunoche	`N NOM F SG`	distress	pressing constriction	distress	1
`G4928-02`	συνοχῆς	sunoches	`N GEN F SG`	anguish	of constricting distress	of constricting distress	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4928-01`	Luke 21:25	συνοχὴ	sunoche	`N NOM F SG`	distress	pressing constriction	distress
`G4928-02`	2 Corinthians 2:4	συνοχῆς	sunoches	`N GEN F SG`	anguish	of constricting distress	of constricting distress

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