Divine Understanding Revealed: συνίημι (Strong’s G4920: suniemi) Illuminates Truth

Strong’s G4920: A compound verb combining σύν (together) and ἵημι (to send), συνίημι expresses deep spiritual comprehension and understanding. In the New Testament, it signifies divine illumination that enables believers to grasp spiritual truths and the mysteries of God’s kingdom.

U – Unveiling the Word

συνίημι (suniemi) represents more than mere intellectual understanding; it encompasses a holistic grasp of spiritual truth where mind and heart come together. This compound word literally means “to bring together” but evolved to mean “to understand completely” or “to comprehend fully.” In the New Testament, it appears frequently in contexts involving spiritual discernment and the ability to grasp divine mysteries. Jesus used this word when discussing why some understand His parables while others don’t. Early church fathers emphasized this word when discussing spiritual illumination and the role of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to understand Scripture. Today, it reminds us that true spiritual understanding is a gift from God that involves both mind and heart working together.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συνίημι, suniemi, /sü-nē’-ā-mē/
• Pronunciation Guide: soon-ee-AY-mee (where ‘ay’ sounds like in “say”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn) – prefix meaning “together with”
• ἵημι (hiēmi) – root verb meaning “to send”
• The combination creates the concept of bringing thoughts together

D – Defining Meanings

• To understand deeply
• To comprehend fully
• To grasp spiritually

For compound words:
The prefix σύν adds the concept of bringing together, while ἵημι contributes the sense of movement or sending. Together, they create a word expressing the bringing together of thoughts for complete understanding.

Translation Options:

• “to understand completely” – emphasizes the thoroughness of comprehension
• “to grasp spiritually” – highlights the spiritual dimension
• “to comprehend deeply” – captures the depth of understanding

E – Exploring Similar Words

• γινώσκω (ginōskō) /ghin-oce’-ko/ – to know experientially
  See G1097
• νοέω (noeō) /no-eh’-o/ – to perceive with the mind
  See G3539
• ἐπίσταμαι (epistamai) /ep-is’-tam-ahee/ – to understand, know
  See G1987

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Participle, Subjunctive
• Person: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Progressive (Present), Perfective (Aorist)

The word appears in various forms showing ongoing or completed understanding:

• συνίω (I understand)
• συνῆκαν (they understood)
• συνιέντες (understanding ones)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word’s connection to spiritual understanding. Thayer’s notes its use in contexts of divine revelation. LSJ traces its development from physical bringing together to mental comprehension. Vine’s connects it to spiritual perception. Strong’s highlights the completeness implied by the συν- prefix. LEH and Moulton and Milligan note its frequent use in wisdom literature.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 13:13: “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand [συνίημι].”

Additional References:
Matthew 13:14
Matthew 13:15
Matthew 13:19
Matthew 13:23
Matthew 13:51
Mark 4:12
Mark 6:52
Mark 7:14
Mark 8:17

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συνίημι beautifully captures the divine gift of spiritual understanding that comes through the Holy Spirit. This word proclaims the good news that God enables His people to comprehend His truth, not through mere intellectual ability, but through spiritual illumination. It reminds us that understanding His kingdom requires both His grace and our receptive hearts.

D – Did You Know?

1. συνίημι appears most frequently in Matthew’s Gospel
2. It’s often used in contexts of parables and spiritual mysteries
3. The word became central to early Christian teaching about spiritual discernment

Strong’s G4920: A compound verb combining σύν (together) and ἵημι (to send), συνίημι expresses deep spiritual comprehension and understanding. In the New Testament, it signifies divine illumination that enables believers to grasp spiritual truths and the mysteries of God’s kingdom.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: understanding, spiritual discernment, wisdom, parables, revelation, divine illumination, compound words, Greek verbs, spiritual perception, kingdom of God, Holy Spirit​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​