Lexical Summary suntribó: To crush, to break, to shatter, to bruise Original Word: συντρίβω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to break in pieces, crushFrom sun and the base of tribos; to crush completely, i.e. To shatter (literally or figuratively) -- break (in pieces), broken to shivers (+ -hearted), bruise. see GREEK sun see GREEK tribos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and the same as tribos Definition to break in pieces, crush NASB Translation battered (1), broke (1), broken (1), broken in pieces (1), broken to pieces (1), crush (1), mauling (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4937: συντρίβωσυντρίβω, participle neuter συντρῖβον Luke 9:39 R G Tr, συντρῖβον L T WH (cf. Veitch, under the word τρίβῳ, at the end); future συντρίψω; 1 aorist συνέτριψα; passive, present συντρίβομαι; perfect infinitive συντετρῖφθαι (R G Tr WH; but συντριφθαι L T (cf. Veitch, as above)), participle συντετριμμένος; 2 future συντριβήσομαι; from Herodotus ((?), Euripides) down; the Sept. very often for שָׁבַר; to break, to break in pieces, shiver, (cf. σύν, II. 3): κάλαμον, Matthew 12:20; τάς πέδας, passive, Mark 5:4; τό ἀλάβαστρον (the sealed orifice of the vase (cf. BB. DD., under the word Topical Lexicon Meaning and Biblical Imagery of Crushing and Breaking Strong’s Greek 4937 paints the vivid picture of pressure so intense that the object under strain can no longer retain its original form. Scripture applies the verb to chains, pottery, alabaster, demon-oppressed bodies, sovereign enemies, and even the prophetic anticipation of Messiah. The range runs from gentle restraint—“A bruised reed He will not break” (Matthew 12:20)—to decisive judgment: “He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery” (Revelation 2:27). In every setting, the act of crushing reveals either the compassion or the authority of the Lord. Old Testament Background Before appearing in the New Testament, the imagery of crushing serves two complementary themes. First, the suffering righteous are described as “crushed in spirit, but the LORD saves them” (Psalm 34:18). Second, covenant judgment falls on the unrepentant: “You will dash them to pieces like pottery” (Psalm 2:9). These strands converge in the ministry of Jesus, who brings relief to the crushed while ultimately crushing evil. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Compassion toward the fragile (Matthew 12:20; Luke 4:18). Citing Isaiah, the Gospel writers highlight Messiah’s tenderness. The Lord’s mission is to proclaim liberty and to “release the oppressed” (Luke 4:18), literally the crushed. The verb underscores His refusal to snuff out the faintest hope. Christological Fulfillment The same root that refuses to break a bruised reed also guarantees the triumph of righteousness. At Calvary the Lamb remains unbroken, yet by that obedience “the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31). His resurrection validates the promise that every oppressive power will be crushed. Pastoral Implications • For the wounded: Christ will not add pressure to the cracked reed; He gently restores. Eschatological Hope History moves toward the day when all opposition will be shattered like pottery. Until then, believers live between the gentleness of the Shepherd who heals the brokenhearted and the certainty of the King who will judge rebellion. The verb balances tender mercy with sovereign might, assuring the crushed of healing and warning the unrepentant of inevitable ruin. Summary Strong’s 4937 traces a theological arc: from the fragile reed Christ will not break, through the alabaster jar willingly broken in worship, to the shattering of Satan and the nations that spurn the Son. Every occurrence affirms a consistent biblical truth—God preserves the righteous, redeems the broken, and crushes evil in His perfect time. Forms and Transliterations συνετρίβη συνετρίβης συνετρίβησαν συνετρίβσαν συνέτριψα συνέτριψαν συνέτριψας συνέτριψε συνέτριψέ συνέτριψεν συνετρίψω συντετριμμένην συντετριμμένοις συντετριμμενον συντετριμμένον συντετριμμένος συντετριμμενους συντετριμμένους συντετριφθαι συντετρίφθαι συντετρῖφθαι συντρίβει συντριβείη συντριβέντος συντριβεται συντρίβεται συντριβη συντριβή συντριβήναι συντριβήσεσθε συντριβησεται συντριβήσεται συντριβήση συντριβήσονται συντριβήσονταί συντριβόμενον συντριβομένους συντριβον συντρίβον συντρῖβον συντρίβοντος συντρίβω συντρίβων συντριβώσι συντρίψαι συντρίψας συντριψασα συντρίψασα συντρίψατε συντριψει συντρίψει συντρίψεις συντρίψετε σύντριψον συντρίψουσι συντρίψουσιν συντρίψω suntetrimmenon suntetrimmenous suntetriphthai suntribesetai suntribēsetai suntribetai suntribon suntripsasa suntripsei syntetrimmenon syntetrimménon syntetrimmenous syntetrimménous syntetriphthai syntetríphthai syntribesetai syntribēsetai syntribḗsetai syntribetai syntríbetai syntribon syntrîbon syntripsasa syntrípsasa syntripsei syntrípseiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 12:20 V-RPM/P-AMSGRK: κάλαμον συντετριμμένον οὐ κατεάξει NAS: A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK KJV: A bruised reed shall he INT: A reed bruised not he shall break Mark 5:4 V-RNM/P Mark 14:3 V-APA-NFS Luke 4:18 V-RPP-AMP Luke 9:39 V-PPA-NNS John 19:36 V-FIP-3S Romans 16:20 V-FIA-3S Revelation 2:27 V-PIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 4937 |
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