Brief Overview of συμπόσιον (Strong’s G4849: symposion)

Strong’s G4849: A compound noun combining συν- (with) and πόσις (drinking), meaning “a drinking party, feast, or arranged group for dining.” Used uniquely in Mark’s account of feeding the 5000 to describe the ordered arrangement of groups for the miraculous meal.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμπόσιον represents the concept of an organized gathering for eating and drinking. As a compound word, it combines togetherness (συν-) with drinking (πόσις) to describe formal dining arrangements. In the New Testament, it appears specifically in Mark’s account of the feeding of the 5000, where the Messiah organizes the crowd into orderly dining groups. The early church saw this term as significant in understanding both the order and fellowship aspects of communal meals. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of fellowship meals and church gatherings, emphasizing both organization and community.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμπόσιον, symposion, /soom-po-see-on/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – PO (stressed) – see – on
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: πόσις (posis) meaning “drinking”
• From πίνω (pino) meaning “to drink”
• Suffix: -ιον (-ion) forming a diminutive or place noun

D – Defining Meanings

• Dining group
• Arranged company for eating
• Formal meal gathering

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates shared activity
The root πόσις contributes the dining aspect
Together they express organized communal dining

Translation Options:

1. Dining group – Emphasizes the organized arrangement
2. Banquet company – Stresses the formal gathering aspect
3. Table fellowship – Captures the communal dining aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• δεῖπνον (deipnon) /dipe-non/ – supper, formal meal – See G1173
• ἄριστον (ariston) /ar-is-ton/ – breakfast or meal – See G712
• τράπεζα (trapeza) /trap-ed-za/ – table, meal – See G5132

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Second declension

Example forms:
Nominative: symposion (dining group)
Genitive: symposiou (of the dining group)
Dative: symposio (to/for the dining group)
Accusative: symposion (dining group as object)

• Cross-references include the verb συμπίνω (to drink together) and συνεσθίω (to eat together)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in describing organized meal groups. Thayer’s highlights the orderly arrangement aspect. LSJ notes its common use in Greek social gatherings. Vine’s connects it to fellowship meals. Strong’s emphasizes the communal nature. Moulton and Milligan document its use in social contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups [συμπόσιον] on the green grass. Mark 6:39

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμπόσιον beautifully captures both the order and fellowship in Kingdom gatherings. It proclaims the good news that King Jesus not only provides abundantly but also brings order and structure to His provision. This word reminds us that fellowship meals are both organized and relational, reflecting divine order and community.

D – Did You Know?

1. This term gave us the English word “symposium,” though with different modern connotations.
2. Its use in the feeding of the 5000 shows divine organization in miracle provision.
3. Early church writers saw this arrangement as a model for ordered church gatherings.

Strong’s G4849: A compound noun combining συν- (with) and πόσις (drinking), meaning “a drinking party, feast, or arranged group for dining.” Used uniquely in Mark’s account of feeding the 5000 to describe the ordered arrangement of groups for the miraculous meal.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: fellowship, dining, organization, meals, community, gathering, order, provision, banquet, table-fellowship, miraculous-feeding, church-gathering​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​