συντέμνω
I cut short, bring to swift accomplishment
Definition
Syntemnō means 'to cut short' or 'to bring to a swift conclusion.' In its literal sense, it refers to the act of cutting something off or shortening it. Figuratively, it describes God's decisive action in bringing his plans to a rapid and complete fulfillment, particularly in the context of judgment or salvation. Its sole biblical use in Romans 9:28 applies this concept to God's work of judgment, indicating he will execute his sentence thoroughly and without delay.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Romans 9:28. Here, Paul quotes from Isaiah 10:22-23 (LXX), using it to describe how God will 'finish the work and cut it short' in righteousness upon the earth. The context is God's sovereign judgment and the fulfillment of his word, emphasizing the certainty and swiftness of his decisive action.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition σύν (syn, meaning 'with' or 'together') and the verb τέμνω (temnō, meaning 'to cut'). The compound form intensifies the idea of cutting, giving the sense of cutting off completely or bringing something to a definitive end. It shares a root with other cutting-related words in Greek.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it underscores God's sovereignty and the certainty of his promises, particularly regarding judgment. In Romans 9:28, it reinforces that God will decisively and swiftly accomplish his redemptive and judicial purposes, leaving no room for doubt. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of this passage by highlighting the completeness and finality of God's action.
In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of 'cutting short' could be associated with legal or military contexts, where a decisive, swift conclusion was often sought. This cultural backdrop of definitive action aligns with the biblical usage describing God's judgment.
τέμνω (temnō, G5114) — the simpler root verb meaning 'to cut' or 'to sever.' κρίνω (krinō, G2919) — means 'to judge' or 'decide,' focusing on the judicial process rather than the swift execution. τελέω (teleō, G5055) — means 'to finish' or 'complete,' emphasizing the end result rather than the speed or method.
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.
Full methodology & sources →