"pr. to hold together; to confine, shut up, close; τὰ ὦτα, to stop the ears, Acts 7:57; to confine, as a besieged city, Lk. 19:43; to hold, hold fast, have the custody of any one, Lk. 22:63; to hem in, urge, press upon, Lk. 8:45; to exercise a constraining influence on, 2 Cor. 5:1..."
Definition and meaning
pr. to hold together; to confine, shut up, close; τὰ ὦτα, to stop the ears, Acts 7:57; to confine, as a besieged city, Lk. 19:43; to hold, hold fast, have the custody of any one, Lk. 22:63; to hem in, urge, press upon, Lk. 8:45; to exercise a constraining influence on, 2 Cor. 5:14; pass. to be seized with, be affected with, as fear, disease, etc., Mt. 4:24; Lk. 4:38; 8:37; Acts 28:8; to be in a state of mental constriction, to be hard pressed by urgency of circumstances, Lk. 12:50; Acts 18:5; Phil. 1:23*
In the original Greek the word is written: συνέχω
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 synecho (G4912) across the King James Bible.
And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
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Common questions
Strong's G4912 (synecho) is a Greek word that means: pr. to hold together; to confine, shut up, close; τὰ ὦτα, to stop the ears, Acts 7:57; to confine, as a besieged city, Lk. 19:43; to hold, hold fast, have the custody of any one, Lk. 22:63; to hem in,... It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word synecho (G4912) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4912 is synecho, a Greek word defined as: pr. to hold together; to confine, shut up, close; τὰ ὦτα, to stop the ears, Acts 7:57; to confine, as a besieged city, Lk. 19:43; to hold, hold fast, . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
synecho is a Greek word found in the New Testament.