συνεφίστημι (sunephistēmi)
sunephistēmi
to attack
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunephistēmi describes a group rising up together in opposition, specifically to stand against or attack someone. It combines the idea of being together with the action of standing over or against, creating a vivid image of collective hostility rather than isolated disagreement.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 16:22. The text uses it to depict the crowd in Philippi joining forces with the magistrates to assault Paul and Silas. Here, the term captures the sudden, unified aggression of a mob turning against the apostles.
Its rarity highlights the specific intensity of this event. By choosing this word, the author emphasizes that the violence was not random but organized and concerted. The focus remains on the collective action of the group rising up together to inflict harm.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Paul and Silas faced a mob in Philippi, the Greek word sunephistēmi described a crowd rising up together to attack. This term highlights how quickly isolation can turn into coordinated opposition. In that moment, the apostles were not just facing random anger but a unified force determined to silence them.
For your faith, this reminds us that standing for truth may invite collective pressure. Yet even in such intense hostility, God’s presence remains steady. The narrative does not end with their defeat but with an earthquake and open doors, showing that united opposition cannot override divine purpose.
You are never alone when facing unfair treatment or group rejection. Just as Paul and Silas prayed and sang in chains, you can trust that God sees your situation. His strength is made perfect in weakness, turning moments of attack into opportunities for witness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rose up together1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνεπέστη1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 16:22
The multitude rose up together against them and the magistrates tore their clothes from them, then commanded them to be beaten with rods.
This verse uses sunephistēmi to show the crowd and magistrates acting in concert, emphasizing the organized nature of the violence against Paul and Silas.