"intelligent, discerning, wise, prudent, Mt. 11:25; Lk. 10:21; Acts 13:7; 1 Cor. 1:19*"
Definition and meaning
intelligent, discerning, wise, prudent, Mt. 11:25; Lk. 10:21; Acts 13:7; 1 Cor. 1:19*
In the original Greek the word is written: συνετός
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 synetos (G4908) across the King James Bible.
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
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Common questions
Strong's G4908 (synetos) is a Greek word that means: intelligent, discerning, wise, prudent, Mt. 11:25; Lk. 10:21; Acts 13:7; 1 Cor. 1:19* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word synetos (G4908) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4908 is synetos, a Greek word defined as: intelligent, discerning, wise, prudent, Mt. 11:25; Lk. 10:21; Acts 13:7; 1 Cor. 1:19*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
synetos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.