ἐπισυντρέχω
I run together to
Definition
The verb ἐπισυντρέχω means 'to run together to' or 'to rush together upon' someone or something. It describes a sudden, collective movement of people converging on a single point, often in response to an event or person. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Mark 9:25, it depicts the crowd's immediate, surging movement toward Jesus after he heals a demon-possessed boy. The prefix ἐπί (epi) intensifies the action, emphasizing the directed, purposeful nature of the gathering.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Mark 9:25. It describes the action of the crowd ('the multitude') running together toward Jesus immediately after he rebukes an unclean spirit and heals a boy. The usage highlights a spontaneous, public reaction to a miraculous event within a narrative context focused on Jesus's authority and the crowd's witness to it.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning 'upon,' 'to,' or 'over') combined with the verb συντρέχω (syntrechō, G4936, 'to run together'). Συντρέχω itself comes from σύν (syn, 'with') and τρέχω (trechō, G5143, 'to run'). Thus, ἐπισυντρέχω intensifies the idea of a group running together, adding a sense of direction or purpose toward a specific focal point.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word captures a significant moment of public recognition and movement toward Jesus following a display of his divine authority over evil (Mark 9:25). It illustrates the crowd's instinctive, physical response to Christ's power, enriching our understanding of how his miracles provoked immediate and tangible reactions. This underscores the Gospel's portrayal of Jesus as a compelling figure who draws people to himself through acts of power and compassion.
In the Greco-Roman world, public gatherings and reactions to notable figures or events were common. The word implies a lack of formal organization; it describes an organic, crowd-sourced movement. This spontaneous convergence differs from a modern, planned assembly, reflecting a cultural context where public spaces were venues for immediate communal response to remarkable occurrences.
συντρέχω (syntrechō, G4936) — also means 'to run together,' but lacks the intensive directional prefix ἐπί (epi) found in ἐπισυντρέχω.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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