σύνεσις G4907
Understanding, insight, mental acuity; the faculty of grasping meaning quickly and discerning what is essential.
Denotes the capacity for comprehension and discernment — not merely factual knowledge but the ability to perceive connections and grasp deeper significance. When the twelve-year-old Jesus astonishes the teachers in the temple, Luke uses this word for what amazed them: his σύνεσις, his penetrating insight (Luke 2:47). Paul prays that the Colossians be filled with it (Col 1:9), and in Mark 12:33 a scribe recognizes that loving God with all one's 'understanding' surpasses burnt offerings. Spanish distinguishes nuances with 'comprensión,' 'entendimiento,' and 'inteligencia,' reflecting the word's breadth from intellectual sharpness to spiritual wisdom.
Senses
1. understanding — The faculty of quick comprehension and discernment — the ability to grasp meaning, perceive connections, and exercise sound judgment. Spanish renders it variously as 'comprensión' (comprehension), 'entendimiento' (understanding), and 'inteligencia' (intelligence), reflecting the word's range from raw intellectual acuity to spiritual insight. In Luke 2:47 it describes the boy Jesus's astonishing capacity to engage with learned teachers; in Mark 12:33 it names the faculty by which one recognizes that love surpasses sacrifice; and in Col 1:9 Paul prays for believers to be filled with it alongside spiritual wisdom. 7×
AR["الفَهمِ", "فَهمي", "فَهمٍ", "فَهمِ", "فَهْماً", "فَهْمَ", "فَهْمِهِ"]·ben["বুঝের", "বুদ্ধি", "বুদ্ধিতে", "বোধ", "বোধে", "বোধের"]·DE["Erkenntnis", "Verstaendnis"]·EN["insight", "understanding"]·FR["intelligence"]·heb["הֲבָנָה", "תְּבוּנָה"]·HI["समझ"]·ID["itu", "pengertian", "pengertianku"]·IT["comprensione", "intelligenza", "sunesei", "suneseos"]·jav["pangertosan", "panggalih", "pangretos"]·KO["분별력을", "이해-안에서", "이해의", "지혜-와", "총명-을", "통찰력을"]·PT["entendimento", "inteligência"]·RU["понимание", "разум", "разумение", "разумением", "разумении", "разумения"]·ES["comprensión", "entendimiento", "inteligencia"]·SW["akili", "ufahamu"]·TR["-yi-", "anlayisin", "anlayista", "anlayış", "anlayıştan", "anlayışına", "o-"]·urd["سمجھ", "سمجھ-کو", "سمجھ-کی"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
σύνεσις, Attic dialect ξύνεσις, εως, ἡ, (συνίημι) uniting, union, πέτρη τε ξύνεσίς τε δύω ποταμῶν Refs 8th c.BC+ __2 metaphorically, with allusion to {συνεσθίω} signification and significationRefs 3rd c.AD+ __II faculty of quick comprehension, mother-wit, sagacity, NT+5th c.BC+; hence of animals, ὃ [ζῷον] συνέσει.. ὑπερέχει τῶν ἄλλων Refs 5th c.BC+; φρόνησίς τε καὶ ξ. Refs 5th c.BC+; σ. λαβεῖν,…