Greek word · G4932

συντέμνω

syntemnō

to cut short

Literally 'to cut together': to cut down or cut short, to shorten or abbreviate. In speech it means to be concise. In the Greek Old Testament it also means to decide or decree, translating Hebrew verbs for 'cutting' a decision.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

συν-τέμνω

[in LXX chiefly for חָרַץ ;]

1. to cut in pieces.

2. to cut down, cut short: metapb., λόγον, Romans 9:28 (LXX) (Hdt., Plat., Fur., al.).†

(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 Romans 9:28

Range of meaning

Literally 'to cut together': to cut down or cut short, to shorten or abbreviate. In speech it means to be concise. In the Greek Old Testament it also means to decide or decree, translating Hebrew verbs for 'cutting' a decision.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'cut it short… a short work', BSB 'decisively', ESV 'without delay', NIV 'with speed', NLT 'quickly', NASB 'quickly'. The versions split between speed and decisiveness. The Hebrew behind it (charats, 'cut, decide') supports decisiveness at least as strongly as speed.

How it drifted

Taken by itself, the English 'short work' suggests a quick, easy job, or a brief period of activity. The Hebrew idea of a decree that is 'cut', meaning settled and irrevocable, is lost.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Isaiah 10:22–23 and 28:22 use it for Hebrew necheratsah, 'decreed'. Theodotion's Greek of Daniel 9:24 says 'seventy weeks synetmēthēsan', meaning have been 'cut' or decreed (Hebrew nechtak). In Daniel 9:26–27 'decreed desolations' are rendered with the same verb. In classical Greek it is common for shortening a speech or a route. This verse is its only use in the NT. The different verb in Mark 13:20 ('cut short those days') is koloboō.

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 9:28 συντέμνων bringing swiftly

    For the Lord will carry out His sentence on the earth thoroughly and decisively.”

    Here: 'Cutting it short.' It stands for the Hebrew word for a decision that has been 'cut', meaning firmly decreed. The shades here are decisiveness, speed, and cutting Israel down to a remnant. The word appears nowhere else in the New Testament.

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