"to counsel, advise, exhort, Jn. 18:14; Rev. 3:18; mid. to consult together, plot, Mt. 26:4; Acts 9:23*"
Definition and meaning
to counsel, advise, exhort, Jn. 18:14; Rev. 3:18; mid. to consult together, plot, Mt. 26:4; Acts 9:23*
In the original Greek the word is written: συμβουλεύω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of symbouleuo (G4823) across the King James Bible.
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
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Common questions
Strong's G4823 (symbouleuo) is a Greek word that means: to counsel, advise, exhort, Jn. 18:14; Rev. 3:18; mid. to consult together, plot, Mt. 26:4; Acts 9:23* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word symbouleuo (G4823) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4823 is symbouleuo, a Greek word defined as: to counsel, advise, exhort, Jn. 18:14; Rev. 3:18; mid. to consult together, plot, Mt. 26:4; Acts 9:23*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
symbouleuo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.