Evil Plot: συντίθημι (Strong’s G4934: suntithēmi) Reveals Conspiracy Against Jesus

Strong’s G4934: A compound verb meaning “to put together, agree with, or covenant,” derived from σύν (with) and τίθημι (to place). In the New Testament, it primarily denotes making an agreement or conspiracy, notably used of the plot against Jesus, reflecting human schemes against divine purposes.

U- Unveiling the Word

συντίθημι combines the depth of human plotting with divine sovereignty. As a compound word, it joins the preposition σύν (with, together) and τίθημι (to place or put), creating a term that literally means “to place together” but carries the weightier meaning of conspiring or making agreements. In Luke’s Gospel, it powerfully depicts the dark agreement between Judas and the chief priests, highlighting humanity’s capacity for betrayal while paradoxically advancing God’s redemptive plan. This tension between human schemes and divine providence remains relevant today, reminding us that even acts of betrayal cannot thwart the Messiah’s purposes.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συντίθημι, suntithēmi, soon-TITH-ay-mee
• Pronunciation Guide: ‘soon’ as in ‘soon’, ‘tith’ as in ‘with’, ‘ay’ as in ‘day’, ‘mee’ as in ‘me’
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (sun) – prefix meaning “with” or “together”
• τίθημι (tithēmi) – root verb meaning “to place” or “put”
• The prefix σύν adds the concept of togetherness or joint action
• The root τίθημι contributes the basic idea of placement or establishment

D – Defining Meanings

• To put together
• To make an agreement
• To covenant together
• To conspire with others
• To determine jointly

For compound words:
The prefix σύν intensifies the communal aspect of the action, while τίθημι provides the foundational meaning of placement or establishment. Together, they create a word that emphasizes joint decision-making or conspiracy.

Translation Options:

1. “To conspire” – Best captures the negative connotation in New Testament usage
2. “To covenant together” – Emphasizes the binding nature of the agreement
3. “To jointly determine” – Highlights the mutual decision-making aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• συμφωνέω (sumphōneō, soom-fo-NEH-o) – to agree in sound, be in harmony – See G4856
• ὁμολογέω (homologeō, ho-mo-lo-GEH-o) – to say the same thing, confess – See G3670
• συναινέω (sunaneō, soon-ai-NEH-o) – to consent, agree – See G4909

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, συντίθημι exhibits these features:

• Tense: Present, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Optative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (Present), Perfective (Aorist), Stative (Perfect)

The word would morph in English as follows:

• Present: I conspire, you conspire, he/she/it conspires
• Past: I conspired, you conspired, he/she/it conspired
• Perfect: I have conspired, you have conspired, he/she/it has conspired

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes συντίθημι’s development from a literal “putting together” to its metaphorical use in agreements and conspiracies. Thayer’s highlights its middle voice usage in making agreements. LSJ provides extensive classical examples of both positive and negative agreements. Vine’s notes its specialized New Testament usage in conspiracy contexts. Strong’s connects it to covenant-making. LEH traces its Septuagint usage in political agreements. Moulton and Milligan document its common use in legal papyri for formal agreements.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
And they were glad, and agreed [συντίθημι] to give him money. Luke 22:5

Additional References:
John 9:22
Acts 23:20

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συντίθημι powerfully illustrates how human schemes, even when intended for evil, cannot override God’s sovereign purposes. The very word used to describe the conspiracy against Jesus became part of the narrative of redemption, showing how the Messiah’s betrayal was paradoxically part of God’s plan for salvation. This reminds us that even in darkness, the light of the gospel cannot be extinguished.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears in ancient marriage contracts, showing its legal binding nature
2. It was commonly used in diplomatic treaties between Greek city-states
3. The middle voice form often implied mutual benefit in classical Greek, though in the New Testament it often carried negative connotations

Strong’s G4934: A compound verb meaning “to put together, agree with, or covenant,” derived from σύν (with) and τίθημι (to place). In the New Testament, it primarily denotes making an agreement or conspiracy, notably used of the plot against Jesus, reflecting human schemes against divine purposes.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: conspiracy, agreement, covenant, plot, betrayal, divine sovereignty, redemption, Judas, chief priests, salvation history​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​