Brief Overview of συναπόλλυμι (Strong’s G4881: synapollymi)

Strong’s G4881: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ἀπόλλυμι (to destroy), meaning to destroy together with, to perish together. In NT usage, it appears in Hebrews describing those who did not perish with the disobedient, highlighting divine preservation amid judgment.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναπόλλυμι represents a powerful concept of shared destruction or perishing together. As a compound word, it combines togetherness with complete destruction, creating a term that describes a common fate of ruin. In the New Testament, it appears significantly in Hebrews’ discussion of Rahab, who was preserved from perishing with her disobedient neighbors. The early church understood this term as emphasizing both divine judgment and mercy – the reality of collective judgment but also the possibility of divine preservation through faith. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of judgment, mercy, and the importance of faith-based decisions that separate us from the fate of unbelievers.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναπόλλυμι, synapollymi, /soon-ap-OL-loo-mee/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + ap (as in ‘up’) + OL (as in ‘all’) + loo (as in ‘loop’) + mee (as in ‘me’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• ἀπό (apo): prefix meaning “from, away”
• ὄλλυμι (ollymi): root verb meaning “to destroy”

D – Defining Meanings

• To perish together
• To be destroyed with others
• To share in destruction
• To be ruined together
• To suffer the same fate of destruction

For compound words:
σύν emphasizes shared experience, while ἀπόλλυμι contributes the concept of complete destruction, creating a word that describes collective ruin or judgment.

Translation Options:

1. “To perish with” – Best captures both physical and spiritual aspects
2. “To be destroyed together” – Emphasizes the collective nature
3. “To share destruction” – Highlights the common fate aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) /ap-OL-loo-mee/ – to destroy or perish individually. See G622
• συμφθείρω (symphtheirō) /soom-FTHEY-roh/ – to corrupt together. See G4893
• ὀλεθρεύω (olothreuō) /ol-oth-RYOO-oh/ – to destroy utterly. See G3645

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

• Tense: Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Perfective (aorist)

Example morphological changes:

• Present Middle: συναπόλλυμαι (I perish with)
• Aorist Middle: συναπωλόμην (I perished with)
• Future Middle: συναπολοῦμαι (I will perish with)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the completeness of the shared destruction. Thayer’s notes its use in contexts of divine judgment. LSJ provides evidence of use in describing collective catastrophe. Vine’s connects it to shared judgment. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature of joint destruction. LEH notes its use in describing community judgment. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in describing shared calamities.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Hebrews 11:31: “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish [συναπώλετο] with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναπόλλυμι powerfully illustrates the reality of shared judgment and the mercy of divine preservation. The good news of King Jesus is that though judgment is real, faith provides a way of escape. Like Rahab, we can be preserved from perishing with unbelievers through faith in God’s provision of salvation.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears only once in the New Testament, in the context of Rahab’s salvation
2. It was commonly used in Greek literature to describe military disasters
3. Early church writers used this term to contrast the fate of believers and unbelievers

Strong’s G4881: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ἀπόλλυμι (to destroy), meaning to destroy together with, to perish together. In NT usage, it appears in Hebrews describing those who did not perish with the disobedient, highlighting divine preservation amid judgment.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: destruction, judgment, perishing, divine preservation, mercy, salvation, shared fate, collective judgment, faith, preservation, Rahab, divine judgment​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​