συντέλεια
syntéleia
G4930 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Bringing to completion, a concluding act or culmination; specifically, the state or event of being brought to a decisive end or fulfillment, often within a particular context such as an epoch, age, or arrangement. In Koine usage, frequently refers to the final phase or consummation of a predetermined period or ordering.
Semantic Range
completion, culmination, bringing to completion, full end, consummation, decisive conclusion (of a period, arrangement, or age)
Root / Etymology
From συντελέω ('to bring to an end, accomplish, complete') + nominal ending -ια, forming an abstract noun denoting the act or result of completing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, συντέλεια is rare but occurs in the sense of 'ending' or 'completion.' In Hellenistic and Koine contexts, particularly the Septuagint and New Testament, the term acquires a specialized sense: the decisive period or event in which a process or age (αἰών) reaches its intended conclusion or culmination. Frequently in Matthew (e.g., 13:39, 24:3, 28:20), συντέλεια τοῦ αἰῶνος indicates the climax or consummation of the current age—the time of its conclusive end and fulfillment—rather than a generic 'ending.' In Greek-speaking Jewish and Judean communities, the term does not inherently carry apocalyptic or catastrophic overtones unless so-contextualized, but is often associated with eschatological expectation in literature from the Second Temple through early Christian periods. English translations such as 'end' may obscure the notion of fulfillment or completion implicit in the word. The nuance of totalizing or consummatory conclusion distinguishes συντέλεια from ἔσχατος ('last') or τέλος ('end, goal, outcome').
Translation Consistency
SILEX defines συντέλεια as the bringing to a full end or culmination of an era or arrangement. "Completion" is the most natural, broadly accurate English term that captures both the sense of fulfillment and final termination used in Koine and in biblical contexts. It is more colloquial than "consummation" yet still carries the decisive finality the noun implies, so it works consistently across all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from συντελέω; entire completion, i.e. consummation (of a dispensation):--end.
Root Family
συντελ- (syntéleia) — to complete, bring to an end, accomplish
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4931 | συντελέω | to be brought to completion |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4930-01 |
συντέλεια | sunteleia | N NOM F SG |
end | decisive completion | decisive completion | 4 |
G4930-02 |
συντελείας | sunteleias | N GEN F SG |
end | of consummation | of completion | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4930-01 |
Matthew 13:39 | συντέλεια | sunteleia | N NOM F SG |
end | decisive completion | decisive completion |
G4930-01 |
Matthew 13:40 | συντελείᾳ | sunteleia | N DAT F SG |
end | decisive completion | decisive completion |
G4930-01 |
Matthew 13:49 | συντελείᾳ | sunteleia | N DAT F SG |
end | decisive completion | decisive completion |
G4930-02 |
Matthew 24:3 | συντελείας | sunteleias | N GEN F SG |
end | of consummation | of completion |
G4930-02 |
Matthew 28:20 | συντελείας | sunteleias | N GEN F SG |
end | of consummation | of completion |
G4930-01 |
Hebrews 9:26 | συντελείᾳ | sunteleia | N DAT F SG |
consummation | decisive completion | decisive completion |