UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: assembly, congregation

Semantic entry: 11.44

Semantic domains: Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes

Subdomains: Socio-Religious

Definition: an assembled group of worshipers or members of such a group

Notes: In RV JAM 2:2 · LV JAM 2:2 · Read together JAM 2:2 συναγωγή may indicate the place of gathering, rather than the assembled group (see συναγωγή [source selector 000002][c], 7.20: συναγωγή).|In translating RV JAM 2:2 · LV JAM 2:2 · Read together JAM 2:2 it is possible to render the conditional clause as ‘if a person comes into your church’ or ‘… into your congregation.’

Sense 2: synagogue, congregation

Semantic entry: 11.45

Semantic domains: Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes

Subdomains: Socio-Religious

Definition: a congregation of Jews

Notes: Since the borrowed term ‘synagogue’ in receptor languages so frequently refers only to a building rather than to a congregation, it may be necessary in RV ACT 9:2 · LV ACT 9:2 · Read together ACT 9:2 to say ‘he asked for letters of introduction to leaders of the synagogues’ or ‘… leaders of the congregations of Jews.’

Sense 3: synagogue or Christian assembly place

Semantic entry: 7.20

Semantic domains: Constructions

Subdomains: Buildings

Definition: a building of assembly, associated with religious activity (normally a building in which Jewish worship took place and in which the Law was taught, but in RV JAM 2:2 · LV JAM 2:2 · Read together JAM 2:2 a Christian assembly place)

Notes: It is also possible to interpret συναγωγή in RV JAM 2:2 · LV JAM 2:2 · Read together JAM 2:2 as a reference to an assembly of believers rather than to a building (see 11.44: συναγωγή).|It is important to distinguish clearly between συναγωγή[c] and ναός[a] (7.15: ναός) or ἱερός [source selector 000001][b] (7.16: ἱερός). There were many synagogues, but only one Temple in Jerusalem, and it is not enough to speak of synagogues merely as ‘small temples.’ It is better either to borrow a term for synagogue or employ a descriptive equivalent such as ‘places where Jewish people worshiped God’ or ‘buildings for worshiping God.’|It is also important to distinguish in translating between a term for ‘synagogue’ and for ‘church,’ whether as a reference to the congregation or to the building.

Further resources: realia:3.17