συναπόλλυμι

From the study of Hebrews 11:31

Range of meaning

'To destroy together with'. In the middle voice, as here, it means 'to perish along with, share in someone else's ruin'. It is rare in the New Testament (only here) and used occasionally in the Greek Old Testament.

Against the English

BSB, KJV, WEB, YLT, ESV and NASB have 'did not perish (with)'. NIV has 'was not killed', which is accurate for Jericho but loses the solidarity of 'together with'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Old Testament Genesis 18:23–24, where Abraham asks, 'Will you destroy the righteous together with the wicked?' (synapolesēs). The same verb sits in the classic biblical question about whether the just will be swept up in a city's judgment. Also Genesis 19:15 (Lot told to flee 'lest you be destroyed along with' Sodom's sins) and Psalm 25(26):9.

From the study of Epistle of Barnabas 21:3

Range of meaning

To destroy something along with something else, or (in the middle voice used here) to perish together with someone. The stress always falls on a shared fate: being caught up in someone else's destruction.

Against the English

'Shall perish with' (Lake, Lightfoot) is accurate. The English 'with' can sound like 'at the same time as', but the Greek compound means 'together with, as part of the same ruin'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Genesis 18:23: Abraham asks, 'Will you destroy the righteous together with (synapolesēs) the ungodly?' Hebrews 11:31: Rahab 'did not perish with' the disobedient. Both are about being swept up in a judgment that falls on others. Classical Greek uses it the same way.