συνεπιτίθημι (sunepitithēmi)
sunepitithēmi
to join in making an attack
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunepitithēmi carries the sense of joining someone in an attack or concerted effort. Its components suggest a shared action, where one adds their force to another’s existing endeavor. In classical usage, it described allies coming together to strike at a target, emphasizing unity in aggression or labor.
In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 19:29. The crowd in Ephesus seizes Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions, dragging them into the theater with intent to harm them. Here, the term captures the mob’s collective violence, showing how individuals can become part of a unified, hostile action against others.
While rare in Scripture, its presence highlights the danger of group dynamics turning destructive. The word does not merely describe individual anger but a coordinated assault, reminding readers that sin often spreads through shared participation rather than isolated acts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sunepitithēmi describes a group joining together to launch an attack. In Acts 19:29, it paints a vivid picture of a mob seizing Paul’s companions and dragging them into the theater. This is not just individual anger; it is a coordinated effort where people add their force to a shared hostile action. Such unity in sin shows how quickly crowds can turn destructive.
Acts 24:9 uses this same term when Jewish leaders join in accusing Paul before Governor Felix. Here, the word highlights how false testimony gains strength through collective agreement. When many voices speak as one against truth, the pressure becomes overwhelming. This reminds us that our words carry weight, especially when we stand with others.
For your faith, this word warns against the danger of going along with a crowd that opposes God’s people. It invites you to consider whether your actions join in building up or tearing down. May you find strength in standing for truth, even when others rush toward conflict.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Agreed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνεπέθεντο1×
Key Verses
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Acts 24:9
The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
This verse shows the word describing how Jewish leaders joined together to affirm false accusations against Paul, highlighting the danger of collective falsehood.