Brief Overview of συλλέγω (Strong’s G4816: sullegō)

Strong’s G4816: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and λέγω (to gather), meaning “to collect or gather together.” In biblical usage, it often appears in agricultural metaphors and parables, particularly regarding harvest and judgment, emphasizing the sorting of good from bad.

U – Unveiling the Word

Συλλέγω carries deep significance in Jesus’ teaching about spiritual discernment and final judgment. As a compound word, it describes the careful process of gathering and sorting, particularly in agricultural contexts. In Matthew 7:16, Jesus uses it to illustrate the impossibility of gathering good fruit from bad plants, while in harvest parables it describes the separation of wheat from tares. Early church fathers expanded this imagery to discuss church discipline and final judgment. Today, it continues to teach about authentic spiritual fruit and divine discernment.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συλλέγω, sullegō, /sool-LEG-oh/
• Pronunciation: sool-LEG-oh (stress on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with” or “together”
• λέγω (legō): root meaning “to gather or collect”
• The combination emphasizes thorough or complete gathering

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meanings:

1. To gather or collect together
2. To harvest
3. To sort while gathering
4. To pick or select

For compound words:

• σύν (syn): indicates comprehensive action
• λέγω (legō): conveys gathering or selecting
  Together they express careful, purposeful collection

Translation Options:

1. “Gather” – Emphasizes collection aspect
2. “Pick” – Highlights selective nature
3. “Harvest” – Captures agricultural context

E – Exploring Similar Words

• συνάγω (synagō) /soon-AG-oh/ – emphasizes bringing together. See G4863
• θερίζω (therizō) /the-RID-zo/ – focuses on harvesting. See G2325
• ἐκλέγω (eklegō) /ek-LEG-oh/ – stresses selecting out. See G1586

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a verb:

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

Examples:

• Present Active: συλλέγω – I am gathering
• Future Active: συλλέξω – I will gather
• Aorist Active: συνέλεξα – I gathered

Cross-references:

• Noun: συλλογή (sullogē)
• Adjective: συλλεκτικός (sullektikos)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in agricultural contexts. Thayer’s notes its metaphorical usage in judgment contexts. LSJ provides examples from harvest situations. Vine’s highlights its use in Jesus’ parables. Strong’s connects it to complete gathering. LEH discusses its Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan show its common agricultural usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 7:16 “You will recognize them by their fruits. Do men [gather] {συλλέγω} grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”

Additional References:
Matthew 13:28
Matthew 13:29
Matthew 13:30
Matthew 13:40
Matthew 13:41
Matthew 13:48

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συλλέγω powerfully illustrates spiritual discernment and divine judgment. It promotes the good news by showing that the Messiah is the ultimate gatherer who will separate true from false, authentic from counterfeit. This reminds us to bear genuine fruit while trusting in His perfect discernment.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was technical terminology in ancient farming manuals.
2. Early church writers used it to describe the gathering of believers in worship.
3. It appears prominently in Greek agricultural legal documents about harvest rights.

Strong’s G4816: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and λέγω (to gather), meaning “to collect or gather together.” In biblical usage, it often appears in agricultural metaphors and parables, particularly regarding harvest and judgment, emphasizing the sorting of good from bad.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: gathering, harvest, judgment, parables, discernment, matthew, agriculture, sorting, separation, spiritual-fruit, divine-judgment, farming-metaphor​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​