Lexical Summary sunantaó: To meet, to encounter, to come together Original Word: συνάντησις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance happen, meet. From sun and a derivative of anti; to meet with; figuratively, to occur -- befall, meet. see GREEK sun see GREEK anti NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and antaó (to come opposite, meet face to face) Definition to meet with, hence to befall NASB Translation happen (1), meet (1), met (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4876: συναντάωσυναντάω, συνάντω: future συναντήσω; 1 aorist συνήντησα; from Homer down; the Sept. for פָּגַע , פָּגַשׁ, קָרָה, קִדֵּם, etc.; to meet with: τίνι, Luke 9:37. (Luke 9:18 WH marginal reading); Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 4876 depicts a purposeful meeting or encounter, usually arranged by providence rather than chance. In each New Testament scene it signals a divinely-timed intersection that advances redemptive history or personal calling. Occurrences in the New Testament Luke 9:37 – “The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus.” Acts 10:25 – “As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.” Luke 22:10 – “He answered, ‘When you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters.’ ” Acts 20:22 – “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” Hebrews 7:1 – “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.” Hebrews 7:10 – “For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.” Contexts of Encounter 1. Personal need meeting divine power (Luke 9:37) The crowd’s encounter immediately follows the Transfiguration, underscoring that glory on the mountain must flow into ministry in the valley. The meeting becomes the setting for the deliverance of a demon-tormented boy, revealing that those who seek the Lord find more than spectacle; they find salvation. 2. Gospel breakthrough to the nations (Acts 10:25) Cornelius’ reverent welcome of Peter marks the first Gentile household to receive the Holy Spirit. The word emphasizes God’s orchestration: an angel, simultaneous visions, travel, and a climactic meeting that forever settles the question of Gentile inclusion. 3. Preparation for the Passion (Luke 22:10) The disciples’ encounter with the man carrying water—an unusual sight in Jerusalem where women normally bore water—signals Jesus’ sovereign foreknowledge. The hidden host makes possible the Upper Room, the institution of the Lord’s Supper, and the new covenant in His blood. 4. Anticipation of unknown trials (Acts 20:22) Paul speaks of events that will “meet” him in Jerusalem. The verb conveys that hardships are not random; they are scheduled appointments on the apostle’s path. His resolve models Spirit-led submission in the face of unforeseen, yet divinely fixed, encounters. 5. Typology and priestly blessing (Hebrews 7:1, 10) The meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek is interpreted as prophetic of Christ’s eternal priesthood. By twice using 4876, the writer highlights that the patriarch’s historic encounter was also Levi’s—in seminal form—so that the Levitical order acknowledges a superior priesthood. The term thus ties a historical event to a theological conclusion that Christ’s priesthood is preeminent and everlasting. Old Testament Foreshadowing Although 4876 is Greek, its conceptual backdrop lies in Hebrew narratives where God “meets” His people (e.g., Genesis 18; Exodus 3). Such encounters often pivot history, as with Melchizedek and Abraham, picked up explicitly in Hebrews. The Septuagint occasionally uses cognate verbs, preparing Greek readers for the New Testament’s theology of encounter. Theological Significance • Providence: Every use illustrates that times, places, and participants are directed by God. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Expect divine appointments; pray to recognize and steward them. Christological Perspective All six occurrences ultimately converge on Jesus Christ. Whether He is physically met (Luke 9:37), symbolically served by the water-bearer (Luke 22:10), or typologically foreshadowed by Melchizedek (Hebrews 7), Christ is the center of every providential encounter. The risen Lord still meets His people, and believers await the consummate meeting when “we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Forms and Transliterations συναντά συναντάν συναντάτε συνάντημα συναντήματά συνάντην συναντήσαι συναντησας συναντήσας συναντησει συναντήσει συναντήσεσθε συναντήσεται συναντήσεταί συναντήση συναντήσης συναντήσητέ συνάντησον συναντησοντα συναντήσοντα συναντήσοντά συναντήσουσι συναντήσωσιν συναντών συναντώσα συναντώσιν συνήντησαν συνήντησάν συνήντησέ συνηντησεν συνήντησεν sunantesas sunantēsas sunantesei sunantēsei sunantesonta sunantēsonta sunentesen sunēntēsen synantesas synantēsas synantḗsas synantesei synantēsei synantḗsei synantesonta synantēsonta synantḗsonta synentesen synēntēsen synḗntesen synḗntēsenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 9:37 V-AIA-3SGRK: τοῦ ὄρους συνήντησεν αὐτῷ ὄχλος NAS: a large crowd met Him. KJV: much people met him. INT: the mountain met him a crowd Luke 22:10 V-FIA-3S Acts 10:25 V-APA-NMS Acts 20:22 V-FPA-ANP Hebrews 7:1 V-APA-NMS Hebrews 7:10 V-AIA-3S Strong's Greek 4876 |