Brief Overview of συμπνίγω (Strong’s G4846: sumpnigo)

Strong’s G4846: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and πνίγω (to choke), meaning “to choke together, crowd out completely.” Used metaphorically in the Messiah’s parables to describe how worldly concerns can completely suffocate spiritual growth.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμπνίγω represents the powerful concept of complete suppression through crowding or choking. As a compound word, it combines together (συν-) with choking (πνίγω) to express thorough suffocation or crowding out. In the New Testament, it appears primarily in the Messiah’s parables about the sower, describing how worldly cares and desires can completely choke out spiritual growth. The early church saw this term as a crucial warning about the dangers of allowing worldly concerns to overwhelm spiritual life. Today, it remains a vivid reminder of how material concerns and temporal anxieties can suffocate our spiritual vitality.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμπνίγω, sumpnigo, /soom-pnee-go/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – PNEE (stressed) – go
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: πνίγω (pnigo) meaning “to choke, strangle”
• Related to πνεῦμα (pneuma) meaning “breath, spirit”
• Base meaning: “to choke completely”

D – Defining Meanings

• To choke completely
• To crowd out entirely
• To suffocate by pressing together

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates completeness and intensity
The root πνίγω contributes the concept of choking
Together they express complete suppression through crowding

Translation Options:

1. To choke out – Emphasizes the suppressive action
2. To crowd out – Stresses the overwhelming aspect
3. To suffocate – Captures the life-stopping effect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πνίγω (pnigo) /pnee-go/ – to choke – See G4155
• ἀποπνίγω (apopnigo) /ap-op-nee-go/ – to choke completely – See G638
• θλίβω (thlibo) /thlee-bo/ – to press, afflict – See G2346

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

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

Example English morphing:
Present: choke out
Future: will choke out
Past: choked out
Participle: choking out

• Cross-references include the noun συμπνιγμός (choking) and πνιγμονή (suffocation)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical use in parables. Thayer’s highlights the completeness of the choking action. LSJ notes its use in both literal and figurative contexts. Vine’s connects it to spiritual dangers. Strong’s emphasizes the thoroughness of the suppression. Moulton and Milligan document its use in agricultural contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches [συμπνίγω] choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

Additional References:
Mark 4:7, Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14, Luke 8:42

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμπνίγω powerfully warns about the dangers of allowing worldly concerns to suffocate our spiritual life. It proclaims the good news of King Jesus by showing us what can prevent its growth, calling us to guard against the choking effects of worldly cares and desires. This word reminds us to prioritize spiritual growth over temporal concerns.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word appears in all three synoptic gospels’ versions of the parable of the sower.
2. It’s used both metaphorically for spiritual suffocation and literally for physical crowding.
3. The early church saw this term as particularly relevant to times of prosperity rather than persecution.

Strong’s G4846: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and πνίγω (to choke), meaning “to choke together, crowd out completely.” Used metaphorically in the Messiah’s parables to describe how worldly concerns can completely suffocate spiritual growth.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: parables, spiritual-growth, worldliness, materialism, suppression, choking, cares-of-life, distractions, spiritual-dangers, word-of-god, fruitfulness, priorities​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​