Brief Overview of συζεύγνυμι (Strong’s G4801: suzeugnumi)

Strong’s G4801: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ζεύγνυμι (to yoke or join), meaning “to yoke together.” In New Testament usage, it specifically refers to God’s act of joining together in marriage, emphasizing the divine nature of the matrimonial bond.

U – Unveiling the Word

Συζεύγνυμι carries profound theological significance in its representation of divine union in marriage. As a compound word, it literally means “to yoke together” or “to join by a yoke,” drawing from agricultural imagery of two oxen joined for common purpose. In Matthew 19:6, Jesus uses this term to emphasize God’s active role in establishing the marriage covenant. The early church saw this word as foundational to understanding marriage as a divine institution rather than merely a human contract. Today, it continues to affirm marriage as a sacred union established by God Himself, highlighting both its permanence and its spiritual significance.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συζεύγνυμι, suzeugnumi, /sood-ZYOOG-noo-mee/
• Pronunciation: soo-DZYOOG-noo-mee (stress on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with” or “together”
• ζεύγνυμι (zeugnumi): root verb meaning “to yoke, join”
• -μι (-mi): suffix indicating a primary verb form

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meanings:

1. To yoke together
2. To join together
3. To unite in marriage

For compound words:

• σύν (syn): indicates joint connection or union
• ζεύγνυμι (zeugnumi): implies a binding or yoking action
  Together they express the concept of joining two entities into one unit

Translation Options:

1. “Join together” – Emphasizes the unifying action
2. “Yoke together” – Preserves the agricultural metaphor
3. “Unite” – Captures the permanent nature of the bond

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κολλάω (kollaō) /kol-LAH-oh/ – emphasizes cleaving or joining closely. See G2853
• δέω (deō) /DEH-oh/ – focuses on binding or tying. See G1210
• ἁρμόζω (harmozō) /har-MOD-zoh/ – stresses fitting together. See G718

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a verb:

• Tense: Present, Perfect, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Completed (Perfect), Simple (Aorist)

Examples:

• Present Active: συζεύγνυμι (suzeugnumi) – I join together
• Aorist Passive: συζευχθῆναι (suzeuchthēnai) – to be joined together
• Perfect Passive: συνέζευκται (sunezeukta) – has been joined together

Cross-references:

• Noun form: σύζευξις (suzeuxis)
• Adjective: σύζυγος (suzugos)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word’s use in marriage contexts and divine action. Thayer’s notes its connection to permanent union. LSJ provides examples from classical literature regarding both marriage and general joining. Vine’s highlights its use in Jesus’ teaching on marriage. Strong’s connects it to the concept of a yoke binding two together. LEH discusses its Septuagint usage in contexts of partnership. Moulton and Milligan document its use in marriage contracts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 19:6 “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has [joined together] {συζεύγνυμι}, let not man separate.”

Additional References:
Mark 10:9

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συζεύγνυμι powerfully conveys God’s active role in establishing marriage as a sacred union. This word proclaims the good news that marriage isn’t merely a human institution but a divine gift, reflecting the Messiah’s relationship with His church. It reminds us that just as God joins couples together, He joins believers to Himself in an unbreakable covenant of love through King Jesus.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was commonly used in ancient Greek marriage ceremonies as part of the formal declaration.
2. Early Christian marriage liturgies incorporated this term to emphasize God’s role in the union.
3. The agricultural metaphor of yoking together implies both unity of purpose and shared direction.

Strong’s G4801: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ζεύγνυμι (to yoke or join), meaning “to yoke together.” In New Testament usage, it specifically refers to God’s act of joining together in marriage, emphasizing the divine nature of the matrimonial bond.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: marriage, union, divine-institution, covenant, joining, yoke, matrimony, matthew, jesus-teaching, wedding, sacred-union, god-ordained​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​