Understanding
σύνεσιςStrong’s G4907sunesis
Appears in 7 verses of the New Testament
In short
Sunesis is the Greek word usually translated “understanding”, “intelligence” and “insight”. It appears in 7 verses of the New Testament.
“And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Meaning
Usually translated “understanding”, “intelligence” and “insight”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.
How it's translated
- understanding 3
- intelligence 1
- insight 1
- in understanding 1
- of understanding 1
Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.
Where it's used most
- Colossians 2
- Mark 1
- Luke 1
- 1 Corinthians 1
- Ephesians 1
- 2 Timothy 1
6 books in all.
Explore in Scripture
- Luke 2:47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
- 1 Corinthians 1:19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
- Ephesians 3:4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
- Colossians 1:9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
- Colossians 2:2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
- 2 Timothy 2:7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Greek dictionary
σύνεσις sunesis · understanding
σύνεσις, -εως, ἡ (συνίημι), [in LXX for בִּינָה and cogn. forms, מַשְׂכִּית, דַּעַת, חׇכְמָה, etc. ;] 1. a running or flowing together (Hom.). 2. (a) understanding: Luk.2:47, 1Co.1:19" (LXX), Eph.3:4, Col.1:9 2:2, 2Ti.2:7 (b) the understanding, the mind or intelligence: Mrk.12:33.† SYN.: see: σοφία (AS)
From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
How the English word “understanding” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.
UNDERSTAND'ING, participle present
tense
- Comprehending; apprehending the ideas or sense of another, or of a writing; learning or being informed.
- adjective Knowing; skillful.
All definitions and other forms of “understanding”
UNDERSTAND'ING, noun
- The faculty of the human mind by which it apprehends the real state of things presented to it, or by which it receives or comprehends the ideas which others express and intend to communicate. Luke 24:45Ephesians 1:18“There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding” Job 32:8
- Knowledge; exact comprehension.
- Intelligence between two or more persons; agreement of minds; union of sentiments.
Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.
Verses are from the King James Version. Word meanings come from the original Greek, not from any one translation.