συνέχωsynéchō
to hold together, i.e. to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy
Greek (New Testament) · G4912
Meanings
1. to hold together (τ. συνέχον τ. πάντα, Wisdom 1:7): of closing the ears, Acts 7:57 (τ. στόμα, Isaiah 52:15); to hem in, press on every side: Luke 8:45, Luke 19:43.
2. to hold fast
(a) of a prisoner, to hold in charge: Luke 22:63
(b) to constrain: 2 Corinthians 5:14; passive, Luke 12:50, Acts 18:5, Philippians 1:23; in passive, of ills, to be seized or afflicted by, suffering from: Matthew 4:24, Luke 4:38, Luke 8:37, Acts 28:8.
Same root
- σύνsýn · G4862with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
- ἔχωéchō · G2192to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
- συνοχήsynochḗ · G4928restraint, i.e. (figuratively) anxiety
Where it appears
Appears 12 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 4:24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.
- Luke 4:38 After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged.
- Luke 8:37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake.
- Luke 8:45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”
- Luke 12:50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.
- Luke 19:43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.