Greek word · G4859
σύμφωνος
symphōnos
mutual consent
Agreeing, harmonious, in accord. As a neuter noun (to symphōnon), an agreement or contract. The phrase ek symphōnou means "by agreement". It is related to symphōnia, a sounding together in music.
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
σύμφωνος, -ον
(ούν, φωνή), [in LXX: Ecclesiastes 7:14 (עֻמָּה), 4Ma.7:7 4Mac 14:7 * ;]
agreeing in sound. Metaphorical, harmonious, agreeing: ἐκ συμφώνου (for exx. from π., see Deiss., BS, 255), by agreement, 1 Corinthians 7:5.†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of 1 Corinthians 7:5
- Range of meaning
Agreeing, harmonious, in accord. As a neuter noun (to symphōnon), an agreement or contract. The phrase ek symphōnou means "by agreement". It is related to symphōnia, a sounding together in music.
- Against the English
"Mutual consent" (BSB) and "consent"/"agreement" (KJV, WEB, ESV) all capture it. Translations that drop the word "mutual" can let the reader imagine one spouse simply announcing it to the other.
- Used elsewhere in the period
The only NT occurrence. In the documentary papyri, ek symphōnou is standard contract wording for terms both parties have agreed (Moulton–Milligan; BDAG). It also appears in the LXX (e.g. Ecclesiastes 7:14).
Similar words
Where it appears
1 Corinthians · 1
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1 Corinthians 7:5 συμφώνου mutual agreement
Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.
Here: "By agreement", a fixed phrase in business contracts. Both spouses must say yes. One partner cannot decide alone, however spiritual the reason.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.