συντηρ-έω G4933
to keep safe, preserve, guard carefully; to protect and maintain something or someone with care
A compound verb meaning to keep or preserve carefully, to guard closely or treasure. It appears in Herod's protective custody of John the Baptist (Mark 6:20), Mary 'treasuring' Jesus' words in her heart (Luke 2:19), and the parable statement 'both are preserved' regarding wine and wineskins (Matt 9:17). The prefix 'together' (συν-) intensifies the preservation—holding carefully, watching over, protecting from loss or harm. Classical uses include maintaining privileges, observing laws strictly, watching for opportunities, and protecting property.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Languages vary: English 'preserved/protecting/treasuring', Spanish 'guardaba/se conservan', French 'garder', German 'bewahren'. The three uses span protective custody (Herod keeping John safe despite wanting him dead—Mark 6:20), contemplative preservation (Mary treasuring and pondering—Luke 2:19), and practical preservation (new wineskins preserve new wine—Matt 9:17). Each involves careful guarding against loss or damage. 3×
AR["حَفِظَهُ", "كَانَتْ-تَحْفَظُ", "يُحفَظانِ"]·ben["রক্ষা-করতেন", "রক্ষিত-হয়", "সংরক্ষণ-করছিলেন"]·DE["bewahren", "συνετήρει", "συντηροῦνται"]·EN["are-preserved", "was-protecting", "was-treasuring"]·FR["garder"]·heb["נִשְׁמָרִים", "שָׁמְרָה", "שָׁמַר"]·HI["उसकी", "बचे-रहते-हैं", "सुरक्षित-रखती-थी"]·ID["melindungi", "menyimpan", "terpelihara"]·IT["suneterei", "sunterountai"]·jav["njagi", "nyimpen", "sami-kawilujengaken."]·KO["간직했다", "보존된다", "보호하고-있었다"]·PT["guardava", "se-conservam"]·RU["оберегал", "сохраняла", "сохраняются"]·ES["guardaba", "se-conservan"]·SW["alimlinda", "aliyahifadhi", "huhifadhiwa."]·TR["korunur", "koruyordu", "saklıyordu"]·urd["بچتے-ہیں", "حفاظت-کرتا-تھا", "سنبھالتی-رہی"]
Related Senses
H8104 1. Qal: keep, observe (law/covenant) (399×)G3101 1. disciple, learner (263×)H5826 1. Qal: to help, aid (53×)H8334 1. to minister, serve (52×)H8334 2. minister, servant, attendant (46×)G5083 1. observe or obey commands (41×)H8104 2. Niphal: beware, take heed (34×)G1247 1. to serve or minister to (32×)H3256 1. discipline, chastise (Piel active) (27×)H5833 1. help, aid, assistance (26×)H8104 3. Qal: watch, look out (26×)H5341 1. keep, observe (commandments) (24×)G5083 2. guard or protect someone (23×)H5647 2. serve, minister to (a person) (21×)H5826 2. Qal participle: helper (21×)G5219 1. obey, be obedient to (20×)H5341 2. guard, protect, preserve (a person) (20×)G1398 1. serve, render service to (19×)H5828 1. help, assistance (19×)H5411 1. Nethinim, temple servants (18×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
συντηρ-έω, keep or preserve closely, ἑαυτὸν ἀδωροδόκητονLXX; σ. [τὴν γνώμην] παρ᾽ ἑαυτῇ keep it close, NT+2nd c.BC+ __2 preserve, maintain, of grants or privileges, Refs 2nd c.BC+:—passive, Refs; ἀμφότεροι -οῦνται (i.e. ὅ τε οἶνος καὶ οἱ ἀσκοί) NT __3 observe strictly, τὸ τῆς φύσεως τέλος Refs 4th c.BC+; τὰ νόμιμαLXX+3rd c.BC+; τήν τε φιλίαν καὶ τὴν συμμαχίαν Refs 2nd c.BC+; σ. τὸ διάστημα keep…