συζεύγνυμι

I unite

Definition

The verb συζεύγνυμι means 'to yoke together' or 'to unite in a close bond.' In its primary biblical usage, it specifically refers to the union of marriage, describing the joining of a man and a woman as one entity (Matthew 19:6, Mark 10:9). This union is portrayed as an inseparable bond established by God. While its two New Testament occurrences are explicitly marital, the word's fundamental sense of a strong, binding connection could conceptually extend to other profound partnerships, though this is not directly attested in the biblical text.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in parallel accounts where Jesus teaches on marriage and divorce. In both Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9, Jesus quotes from Genesis, declaring that God has 'yoked together' a husband and wife, making them one flesh. The usage is formulaic and authoritative, emphasizing the divine origin and permanence of the marital bond. It appears in direct discourse from Jesus, underscoring the theological weight of the statement.

Etymology

The word συζεύγνυμι is a compound verb formed from the preposition σύν (syn, meaning 'with' or 'together') and the verb ζεύγνυμι (zeygnymi, meaning 'to yoke' or 'to join'). It literally means 'to yoke together.' Cognates include the noun ζυγός (zygos, G2218), meaning 'yoke.' The imagery derives from joining two animals with a yoke for shared labor, which evolved into a metaphor for any close, cooperative union, most prominently marriage.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it defines the nature of marriage as a divine institution, not merely a human contract. Jesus uses it to ground the permanence of marriage in God's creative act (Genesis 2:24), directly challenging permissive divorce practices. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the strength and intended inseparability of the marital bond—it is a 'yoking' by God Himself, which human authority should not sever.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the yoke was a powerful symbol of partnership, burden, and submission. Applying it to marriage conveyed a sense of shared purpose, joint responsibility, and a binding legal and social covenant. This differs from some modern romanticized views of marriage; the ancient metaphor emphasizes duty, unity in labor, and an unbreakable bond established by a higher authority (God).

κολλάω (kollaō, G2853) — means 'to glue' or 'cleave to,' also used for marital union (e.g., Matthew 19:5) but with a focus on intimate attachment. ἑνόω (henoō, G1774) — means 'to make one' or 'unite,' used for spiritual unity (e.g., John 17:11, Ephesians 2:14), with a broader, more abstract application than the concrete 'yoking' of συζεύγνυμι.

Word Details

Scripture References