G4886 σύνδεσμος (sýndesmos)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study

Noun, Masculine

Quick Definition

σύνδεσμος, ου, ὁ n.m. a band, bond

Strong's Definition

a joint tie, i.e. ligament, (figuratively) uniting principle, control

Derivation: from G4862 (σύν) and G1199 (δεσμόν);

KJV Usage: band, bond

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

σύνδεσμος (G4886)

noun, m. | -ου | δέω

18.17 · Attachment · Fasten, Stick To

bindings, bonds, that which ties together that which ties something together The context of COL 2:19 is, however, highly figurative.

ACT 8:23 · COL 2:19

63.7 · Whole, Unite, Part, Divide · Unite

to bring together, to bind together, to unite that which combines or brings objects and/or events together

EPH 4:3 · COL 3:14

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

σύν-δεσμος, -ov, ὁ, (συνδέω) ; 1. that which binds together, a band, bond: of the ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together (Eur. Hipp. 199; Tim. Loer. p. 100 Ὁ. [i. 6. 3, 3, p. 386 ed. Bekk.] ; Aristot. ἢ. a. 10, 7, 3 p. 638°, 9; Galen), Col. ii. 19 [where see Bp. Lghtft.]; trop.: τῷ συνδέσμῳ τῆς εἰρήνης, i. 6. τῇ εἰρήνῃ ὡς συνδέσμῳ, Eph. iv. 3 (σύνδεσμος εὐνοίας x. φιλίας, Plut. Num. 6); ἥτις ἐστὶ σύνδ. τῆς τελειότητον, that in which all the virtues are so bound together that perfection is the result, and not one of them is wanting to that perfection, Col. iii. 14 [ef. Bp. Lghtft. ad loc. ]. εἰς σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας ὁρῶ σε ὄντα, I see that you have fallen into (cf. εἰμί, V. 2 a. p. 119", and see below) the bond of iniquity, i.e. forged by iniquity to fetter souls, Acts viii. 23 (the phrase σύνδ. ἀδικίας occurs in another sense in Is. lviii. 6). 2. that which is bound together, a bundle: prop. σύνδ. ἐπιστολῶν, Idian. 4, 12, 11 [6 ed. Bekk.]; hence some interpreters think that by σύνδ. ἀδικίας, in Acts viii. 23 above, Simon is described as “a bundle of iniquity”, compacted as it were of iniquity, (just as Cic. in Pison. 9, 21 calls a certain man “animal ex omnium scelerum importunitate . .. concretum”’); but besides the circumstance that this interpretation is extremely bold, no examples can be adduced of this tropical use of the noun.

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

σύνδεσμος syndesmos 4x

that which binds together, Col. 2:19; a band of union, Eph. 4:3; Col. 3:14; a bundle, or, bond, Acts 8:23*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

σύν-δεσμος, -ου, ὁ

(< συνδέω), [in LXX for קשׁר, קטר, etc. ;]

that which binds together, a bond: of the ligaments of the body, Col 2:19. Metaph., σ. ἀδικίας, Ac 8:23; τ. τελειότητος, Col 3:14; τ. εἰρήνης, Eph 4:3 (v. Lft., Col., ll. c.).†

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

σύνδεσμος in its lit. sense of ‘‘ fastening” (cf. Col 21%) occurs in Aristeas 85 τοῦ θυρώματος δὲ kal τῶν περὶ αὐτὸ συνδέσμων κατὰ τὰς φλιάς, ‘‘the great doorway and the fastenings which held it to the door-posts” (Thackeray). For the metaph. usage in Col 3! Wetstein cites from Simplicius in Epictet. p. 208 a parallel expression of the Pythagoreans : καλῶς οἱ ΠΙυθαγορεῖοι περισσῶς τῶν ἄλλων ἀρετῶν τὴν φιλίαν ἐτίμων καὶ σύνδεσμον αὐτὴν πασῶν τῶν ἀρετῶν ἔλεγον. It may be noted that for τελειότητα in Col 1. D*Gdeg read ἑνότητα. Σύνδεσις is used fof the ‘‘continuation ” of a text on the following page in P Oxy XIV. 173773 (ii/iii A.D.).

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

σύνδεσμος (sundesmos) — bond(age). σύνδεσμ-ος, ὁ, irregular plural σύνδεσμα [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—that which binds together, bond of union, fastening, ξ. ἦν.. τὰ ξύλα, τοῦ μὴ ἀσθενὲς εἶναι τὸ οἰκοδόμημα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀραρότως σύνδεσμα χρυσὸς εἶχε the golden headband kept its bonds firmly fixed, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἁμμάτων σύνδεσμα fastenings of garments, [Refs]; μελέων σύνδεσμα, of sinews or ligaments, [NT+5th c.BC+]

2. metaphorically, bond of union; ὁ σ. τῆς πόλεως the bond that keeps the state together, of good citizens, [NT+5th c.BC+]

3. Grammars, conjunction, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; σ. ἓν ποιεῖ τὰ πολλά[Refs 3rd c.BC+]

II. ={σύνδεσις}[Refs 5th c.BC+]

III. that which is bound together, bundle, ἐπιστολῶν [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

IV. conspiracy, [LXX]

V. sodomy,[LXX]

VI. Astron., node, [Refs 4th c.BC+]

VI.2. Σ. the Knot, i.e. the star a Piscium, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]

VI.3. Astrology texts, connexion of heavenly bodies, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; of the moon, [Refs 4th c.AD+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

σύν-δεσμος, -ου, ὁ (συνδέω), [in LXX for קֶשֶׁר, קְטַר, etc. ;] that which binds together, a bond: of the ligaments of the body, Col.2:19. Metaphorical, σ. ἀδικίας, Act.8:23; τ. τελειότητος, Col.3:14; τ. εἰρήνης, Eph.4:3 (see Lft., Col., ll. with).† (AS)

Bible Occurrences (4)

8:23

4:3

2:19 3:14

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Bond, bondage (4886) sundesmos

Bond (4886) (sundesmos sundesmos from sundéo = join together in turn from sun = with, speaks of an intimate union + deo = bind) describes that which binds together. Sundesmos describes that which holds something together and was used for example to describe the fastenings that hold the various ships together. TDNT writes that sundesmos (syndesmos)... is the “middle thing” that serves as a “link,” “joint,” “loop,” or “bond,” and in grammar “conjunction.” Special meanings are “chain,” “cable,” or “halter.” In Plato the term takes on special significance as the mediation or union that overcomes cosmic dualism. Figuratively for Aristotle it refers to “children” as the bond between father and mother. In rhetoric it may be a “connecting word,” and physiologically it is the “joint” or “muscle.” (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Sundesmos was used in Greek to describe a tendon or ligament of the bones by which the members of the human body are united together. It denotes that which keeps something together. It's the "tie which binds together". In secular Greek writings sundesmos was used to describe "good men" who form the bond that keeps the state (government) together! Moulton and Milligan quote Aristeas who writes "the great doorway and the fastenings (sundesmos) which held it to the door-posts". In Ephesians of course sundesmos is used figuratively to picture the binding together in the sense of the spiritual forces that unite believers. It is peace which brings both groups into a unified relationship and peace which will maintain them in that relationship of unity. In Colossians 3:14 we see that it is love which is the bond that unites all the virtues Paul had just listed (see notes Colossians 3:12; 3:13) Sundesmos is used more often in the Septuagint (LXX) (1Ki 14:24; 2Ki 11:14; 12:20; Job 41:15; Isa 58:6, 9; Jer 11:9; Da 5:6, 12). Below are the only other NT uses of sundesmos (note the use in Colossians 3 which parallels Eph 4:3)... (Acts 8:23) (Peter addressing Simon the sorcerer who was trying to obtain the gift of God with money declared) "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity." (Comment: Here sundesmos is used in a negative sense to describe the unspiritual forces that enslave people and so bring them into bondage or put them in a fetter and thus describes that which causes one to be under control, in this case the control of iniquity. Unrighteousness was like a fetter [chain or shackle for the feet, restraining from motion] binding and controlling Simon!) (Colossians 2:19 - see note) and not holding fast to the Head from Whom the entire body , being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments (sundesmos), grows with a growth which is from God (Colossians 3:14 - see note) And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond (sundesmos) of unity. (Comment: This passage parallels Ephesians 4:3, but here Paul substitutes love for peace.

Acts 8:23

For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.

Ephesians 4:3

[and] with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Colossians 2:19

He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by [its] joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.

Colossians 3:14

And over all these [virtues] [put on] love, which is [the] bond of perfect unity.