Greek word · G4933

συντηρέω

syntēreō

to preserve

An intensified form of τηρέω, "keep, watch, guard". It means keep closely, preserve, watch carefully, and also keep in mind, treasure up (Luke 2:19, Mary "kept" these things). With an object such as "time" it means "keep close watch on" the right moment.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

συν-τηρέω, -ῶ

[in LXX: Ezekiel 18:19 (שָׁמַר), Da TH Daniel 7:28 A (נְטַר), Sirach 13:12 and freq., Tobit 1:11, 2Ma.12:42, al. ;]

"perfective" of τηρέω (see M, Pr., 113, 116),

to preserve, keep safe, keep close: with accusative of person(s), Mark 6:20; with accusative of thing(s), Matthew 9:17; ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ, Luke 2:19 (Arist. and later writers; cf. MM, xxiv).†

(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 Sirach 27:12

Range of meaning

An intensified form of τηρέω, "keep, watch, guard". It means keep closely, preserve, watch carefully, and also keep in mind, treasure up (Luke 2:19, Mary "kept" these things). With an object such as "time" it means "keep close watch on" the right moment.

Against the English

"Observe the time" (KJV/Brenton) is literal but vague to modern ears. "Limit your time" (WEB, and the NRSV in similar words) turns the phrase into a practical rule. The Latin and Douay-Rheims take it as keeping back your word until its time.

Used elsewhere in the period

Sirach uses the same phrase, συντήρησον καιρόν, at 4:20 ("watch for the opportunity, and beware of evil"). There, as far as the Hebrew evidence goes, Hebrew MS A has wording built on "time" and "keep/watch" (שמר). Compare Sir 20:6–7: the wise person is silent "until the right time" (ἕως καιροῦ), while the fool misses it. The verb also appears in Mark 6:20, Matt 9:17 and Luke 2:19.

From the study of Luke 2:19

Range of meaning

To keep something safe from harm or loss (Mark 6:20, Herod 'kept John safe'). To keep two things both preserved (Matt 9:17, wine and wineskins). To keep a command or a teaching. To retain something in memory. The prefix syn- strengthens it: to keep firmly, to hold intact.

Against the English

KJV and WEB say 'kept', which is accurate. BSB, NIV and ESV say 'treasured (up)', which adds a sense of fond, emotional cherishing that the Greek word does not carry by itself. YLT's 'was preserving' best captures both the meaning and the ongoing tense.

How it drifted

'Treasured' entered modern versions as a warmer and more idiomatic choice than 'kept'. In today's English, 'treasure' suggests sentimental keepsakes and precious memories. The Greek word is about safeguarding something important so it is not lost, whether or not it is pleasant.

Used elsewhere in the period

The closest parallel is Daniel 7:28 in the Greek version of Theodotion. After a baffling vision, Daniel says 'I kept (synetērēsa) the matter in my heart.' In Genesis 37:11 (Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament), after Joseph's dreams, 'his father kept (dietērēsen) the saying.' Testament of Levi 6:2 has the same phrase about keeping revealed words in the heart. In each case a person receives a revelation they do not yet understand and holds on to it until it becomes clear. Sirach 39:2 uses the word for the scribe who 'preserves' the sayings of famous men.

From the study of 2 Maccabees 9:26

Range of meaning

Keep safe, preserve, protect; maintain something so it is not lost or damaged.

Against the English

KJV/Brenton 'will be still faithful' turns the verb into a description of character. WEB 'preserve' keeps the actual picture: guarding something that already exists.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for preserving goods, laws and relationships. In the NT: Mark 6:20 (Herod 'protected' John), Matt 9:17 (both wineskins 'are preserved'), Luke 2:19 (Mary 'kept' these things).

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 9:17 συντηροῦνται.¶ are preserved.

    Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

    Here: Are kept safe, together. Only Matthew has this closing clause. It ends the saying on preservation, not on loss.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 6:20 συνετήρει he was keeping safe

    because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.

    Here: Imperfect: he kept protecting John, again and again shielding him from Herodias. The irony is that the protector is also the jailer.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 2:19 συνετήρει was treasuring up

    But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

    Here: 'Was keeping safe' or 'kept holding on to'. The tense describes something ongoing, not a single act. She kept these things whole and intact in her memory over time.

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