σωρεύω (G4987) — Greek Lexicon

σωρεύω

sōreúō

G4987 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To heap up or pile, either literally (to accumulate objects in a heap) or figuratively (to amass or accumulate in a non-physical sense). The core meaning is to form a pile or stack by gathering scattered items together, but it can extend in some contexts to the idea of accumulating or loading up a quantity or burden.

Semantic Range

to heap up, to pile, to gather together into a heap, to accumulate, to load with, to amass

Root / Etymology

Derived from σωρός (sōrós, 'heap, pile, coffin'), with the verb-forming ending -εύω. This derivational pattern is productive in Koine Greek for creating verbs of action from nouns. Related to the root σωρ- meaning 'heap, pile.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

σωρεύω is a late and rare verb, appearing chiefly in Hellenistic Greek and later, including biblical and post-biblical texts. The verb follows a common formation pattern in Koine Greek by adding -εύω to a noun stem (here, σωρ-), parallel to forms in other Greek verbs (e.g., βασιλεύω from βασιλεύς). In the Septuagint, σωρεύω is used to translate Hebrew verbs meaning 'to heap up' or 'to pile,' depicting literal acts (e.g., gathering stones, building piles of grain or goods) and sometimes figurative accumulation (e.g., heaping up sins or sorrows). In the New Testament, occurrences are extremely rare to non-existent; usage primarily remains in LXX and some Hellenistic Jewish writings. English translations usually employ 'heap up,' 'pile,' or in more figurative contexts, 'amass' or 'load down.' The sense remains close to the physical act of piling rather than broader metaphorical uses found in some other Greek accumulation verbs (e.g. συνάγω, which can take on a broader range). Related terms: σωρός (heap), κείμενος (lying, situated), and the more general ἀθροίζω (to gather, collect).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from another form of σορός; to pile up (literally or figuratively):--heap, load.

Root Family

σωρ- (sorós) — heap, pile, collect, gather

Root σωρ- to heap, pile, amass

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G4673	σορός	of the coffin

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4987-01`	σεσωρευμένα	sesoreumena	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL`	laden	having been heaped up	having been heaped up	1
`G4987-02`	σωρεύσεις	soreuseis	`V FUT ACT IND 2P SG`	you will heap	you will heap up	you will heap up	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4987-02`	Romans 12:20	σωρεύσεις	soreuseis	`V FUT ACT IND 2P SG`	you will heap	you will heap up	you will heap up
`G4987-01`	2 Timothy 3:6	σεσωρευμένα	sesoreumena	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL`	laden	having been heaped up	having been heaped up

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