συμβαίνω
sumbainō
to happen
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "συμβαίνω" (sumbainō) is a verb that means "to happen." It is used eight times in the Bible, indicating its relatively limited but significant role in the text. The word suggests an event or occurrence that takes place, often without specifying the nature or cause of the event. The usage of "συμβαίνω" is varied, but it often appears in contexts where the focus is on the unexpected or unforeseen nature of the event. This can be seen in phrases such as "it happened" or "it came to pass," which imply a sense of surprise or suddenness. The word is often used in conjunction with other verbs or phrases that describe the event, such as "it happened that" or "it came to pass that." The significance of "συμβαίνω" lies in its ability to convey a sense of unexpectedness or surprise, which can be used to create a sense of drama or tension in a narrative. Its limited but strategic use in the Bible suggests that the author was careful to choose words that would convey the intended meaning and emotional impact of the story.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences across the text
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.
Luke 24:14They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened.
Acts 3:10They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 20:19serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
Acts 21:35When he came to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd;
1 Corinthians 10:11Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
1 Peter 4:12Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
2 Peter 2:22But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire.”