συνανάκειμαι (sunanakeimai)
sunanakeimai
to dine with
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunanakeimai describes the act of reclining together at a meal, capturing the intimate social setting of ancient dining rather than simply eating. In the first-century Mediterranean world, guests did not sit at tables but lay on couches around a low table, facing inward toward one another. This posture made conversation and interaction central to the experience, turning a meal into a significant social event where relationships were formed and displayed.
Lexical sources note that this term appears primarily in the Synoptic Gospels, often highlighting Jesus’ controversial associations with tax collectors and sinners. When Matthew 9:10 or Mark 2:15 records Jesus reclining with such individuals, the word emphasizes a deliberate choice to share close physical proximity and fellowship. It was not merely about consuming food but about breaking down social barriers through shared presence.
The prefix syn- ("with") underscores the communal nature of the action. Unlike a generic term for eating, sunanakeimai specifically evokes the image of guests reclining side by side. This detail is crucial for understanding the shock value in passages like Luke 7:49, where onlookers question Jesus’ authority because he allows a sinful woman to touch him while he dines with others. The word anchors the narrative in the physical reality of table fellowship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sunanakeimai paints a picture of reclining together at a meal, an act that went far beyond simple nourishment in the first century. Guests lay on couches facing one another, making conversation and presence central to the experience. When Jesus used this term to describe his time with tax collectors and sinners, he was deliberately breaking down social barriers through shared proximity.
This intimate setting invites us to consider how we treat those society might overlook. It suggests that true fellowship involves more than just being in the same room; it requires a willingness to sit close, listen, and share life with others. In our own lives, this calls us to create spaces where people feel welcome and valued, regardless of their background or past mistakes.
By focusing on the relational aspect of dining, we see that faith is lived out in community. It is not a solitary journey but a shared experience where relationships are formed and displayed. This word reminds us that God’s table is open to all, and our response should be one of generous inclusion and genuine connection.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- reclining with [him]2×
- reclining2×
- were reclining with1×
- they were reclining with1×
- reclining with [Him]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνανέκειντο2×
- συνανακειμένων2×
- συνανακείμενοι1×
- συνανακειμένους1×
- συνανακειμένοις1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 2:15
He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him.
This verse highlights Jesus' deliberate choice to recline with tax collectors and sinners, emphasizing the shock value of his inclusive table fellowship.
-
Luke 7:49
Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
The onlookers' reaction here shows how Jesus' willingness to share an intimate meal with a sinful woman challenged their understanding of his authority.
-
Matthew 9:10
As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
This occurrence underscores the physical reality of Jesus sitting down with those considered outcasts, demonstrating his commitment to breaking social barriers.