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Has anyone ever told you: יהוה (Yahweh) God loves you and has a great plan for your life?
Has anyone ever told you: יהוה (Yahweh) God loves you and has a great plan for your life?
Strong’s G4782: A compound verb meaning “to go down with, descend together.” From σύν (with), κατά (down), and βαίνω (to go). Used in legal contexts for accompanying accusers to trial. Represents both literal descent and metaphorical condescension or accommodation in classical usage.
Συγκαταβαίνω combines the concepts of accompaniment and descent, literally meaning to go down with someone. In its New Testament context, it appears in Acts within a legal setting, describing the process of accusers going down together to present charges. The early church fathers expanded its usage to describe divine condescension, particularly the Messiah’s incarnation. Today, it reminds us of both the legal processes of justice and the profound theological truth of God’s willingness to “descend” to our level in the incarnation.
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Etymology:
For compound words:
Translation Options:
As a verb:
Examples:
BDAG emphasizes its legal usage in Acts. Thayer’s notes its compound nature and literal meaning. LSJ traces its metaphorical development in classical Greek. Vine’s highlights its single New Testament occurrence. Strong’s connects it to accompaniment in descent. LEH notes similar compounds in the Septuagint. Moulton and Milligan show its use in legal papyri.
First appearance:
Acts 25:5: “Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with [συγκαταβαίνω] me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.”
Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.
Author: Work | Text |
---|---|
Polybius: Histories | “The generals went down together [συγκαταβαίνω] to meet the enemy” |
Plutarch: Lives | “He condescended [συγκαταβαίνω] to speak with the common people” |
Diodorus: Library | “The nobles descended [συγκαταβαίνω] with their attendants to the forum” |
Συγκαταβαίνω beautifully illustrates both human legal processes and divine condescension. While used in Acts for a legal journey, it points to the greater truth of how the Messiah descended to our level. This word proclaims the good news that God has come down to us in the person of Jesus, making His dwelling among us.
Strong’s G4782: A compound verb meaning “to go down with, descend together.” From σύν (with), κατά (down), and βαίνω (to go). Used in legal contexts for accompanying accusers to trial. Represents both literal descent and metaphorical condescension or accommodation in classical usage.
Part of speech: Verb
Tags: accompaniment, descent, legal-process, divine-condescension, incarnation, acts, paul, trials, biblical-greek, new-testament-greek, roman-law, justice-system
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations and keyword occurrences in their Bible translation of choice. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
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