Greek word · G4919

συνθρύπτω

synthryptō

to break

Literally to break into pieces or crush small (σύν, 'together/thoroughly', plus θρύπτω, 'break up'). The simpler verb θρύπτω had a well-known figurative sense in Greek: to weaken, soften or sap the strength of someone. The compound is rare in any Greek literature.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

συν-θρύπτω

to break in pieces, crush: metaphorically, τ. καρδίαν, Acts 21:13.†

(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 Acts 21:13

Range of meaning

Literally to break into pieces or crush small (σύν, 'together/thoroughly', plus θρύπτω, 'break up'). The simpler verb θρύπτω had a well-known figurative sense in Greek: to weaken, soften or sap the strength of someone. The compound is rare in any Greek literature.

Against the English

Most versions say 'breaking my heart' and YLT says 'crushing'. 'Breaking' is fine, but the English idiom 'you're breaking my heart' now means only 'you're making me very sad'. The Greek picture is of something being ground down until it gives way.

How it drifted

The English phrase 'break someone's heart' has narrowed to mean emotional grief, especially romantic grief. The Greek idiom also covers wearing down someone's resolve.

Used elsewhere in the period

Found only here in the New Testament and absent from the Greek Old Testament. Lexicons (BDAG; Louw–Nida) list the figurative use here under causing distress or discouragement. Codex Bezae replaced it with the commoner θορυβέω, 'trouble, unsettle', which suggests early copyists found the word unusual and read it as 'unsettling his resolve'.

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 21:13 συνθρύπτοντές breaking

    Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

    Here: A vivid word found nowhere else in the New Testament: to pound something into fragments. With 'heart' it means grinding down Paul's inner resolve as well as hurting him.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.