Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and OriginSynagogues are Jewish houses of worship and community gathering places that have played a significant role in Jewish religious and social life. The term "synagogue" is derived from the Greek word "synagōgē," meaning "assembly" or "gathering." While the exact origins of synagogues are not detailed in the Old Testament, they are believed to have developed during the Babylonian Exile (6th century BC) when the Jewish people were separated from the Temple in Jerusalem. This period necessitated a new form of communal worship and study, leading to the establishment of synagogues as centers for prayer, teaching, and community activities.
Biblical ReferencesThe New Testament provides numerous references to synagogues, indicating their prominence in Jewish life during the time of Jesus and the early church. Jesus frequently taught in synagogues, as seen in
Luke 4:16, where it is recorded, "He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read..." This passage highlights the synagogue's role as a place for reading and interpreting Scripture.
In
Matthew 4:23, the synagogues are mentioned as venues for Jesus' teaching and healing ministry: "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." This underscores the synagogue's function as a place for both spiritual instruction and community care.
The Apostle Paul also utilized synagogues as platforms for preaching the Gospel.
Acts 17:1-2 states, "When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures." This illustrates the synagogue's role as a forum for theological discussion and debate.
Structure and FunctionSynagogues served multiple functions in Jewish society. Primarily, they were places of worship where the community gathered for prayer, especially on the Sabbath and during festivals. The synagogue service typically included the recitation of the Shema, prayers, and the reading of the Torah and the Prophets, followed by a sermon or teaching.
In addition to worship, synagogues functioned as centers for education. They were places where children and adults learned to read and understand the Scriptures. The synagogue was also a community center where social and legal matters were addressed, and it often served as a place for communal gatherings and celebrations.
Leadership and GovernanceSynagogues were typically governed by a group of elders or leaders, often referred to as the "rulers of the synagogue" (
Mark 5:22). These leaders were responsible for the administration of the synagogue, organizing services, and maintaining order. The role of the "chazzan" or attendant was also significant, as this individual was responsible for the care of the scrolls and the general upkeep of the synagogue.
Cultural and Religious SignificanceThe synagogue has been a vital institution in maintaining Jewish identity and religious practice, especially in the Diaspora. It provided a structured environment for worship and community life, ensuring the continuity of Jewish traditions and teachings. The synagogue's emphasis on Scripture reading and interpretation laid the groundwork for the development of rabbinic Judaism and influenced early Christian worship practices.
In summary, synagogues have been central to Jewish religious and community life from ancient times through the New Testament period and continue to be significant in contemporary Jewish practice. They are places of worship, learning, and community, reflecting the enduring importance of faith and tradition in Jewish life.
Greek
656. aposunagogos -- expelled from the congregation... put out of the
synagogues. From apo and sunagoge; excommunicated -- (put)
out of the synagogue(-s). see GREEK apo. see GREEK sunagoge.
...4892. sunedrion -- a sitting together, hence a council, spec. the...
... Samaria (Dr. Maclean, Hasting's ).synagogues however exercised considerable
authority (see C. Bigg, , 25).]. Word Origin from sun...
4864. sunagoge -- a bringing together, by ext. an assembling...
... Word Origin from sunago Definition a bringing together, by ext. an assembling, hence
a synagogue NASB Word Usage assembly (1), synagogue (31),synagogues (24)....
Library
Synagogues in the City; and Schools.
... A Chorographical Century Chapters 31-40 Chapter 36Synagogues in the City;
and Schools. "R. Phinehas, in the name of R. Hoshaia, saith...
Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
... Chapter 16Synagogues: Their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements.
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v...
John Chapter xvi. 1-4.
... 2. And then He expressly declares what they were to suffer: "They shall put you
out of thesynagogues." But what harm was it for the apostles to be expelled...
Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
... of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke"the Gospel of John dealing more particularly
with the work in Jud??a], ^b into theirsynagogues throughout all...
Teaching with Authority
... THE worship of thesynagogues, not having been instituted by Moses, but gradually
developed by the public need, was comparatively free and unconventional....
Epistle Lv. To Fantinus, Guardian (Defensorem), of Panormus...
... wrote to Victor, our brother and fellow-bishop, that"inasmuch as certain of the
Jews have complained in a petition presented to us thatsynagogues with their...
The Lord's Prayer: the Preface in Matthew
... They are as follows: And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they
love to stand and pray in thesynagogues and at the street corners, so that...
Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the
hypocrites do in thesynagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory...
Easter Tuesday
... Wherever in a city Jews were to be found, there also were theirsynagogues in which
they taught and preached; and many gentiles, coming to hear, were converted...
Acts vi. 8
... [343] Thesynagogues were diverse: [to wit, "Of the Libertines"]: "of the Cyrenians,
ie those in the parts beyond Alexandria ["of the Alexandrians," etc.]....
Thesaurus
Synagogues (27 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Synagogues (27 Occurrences). Matthew 4:23 Jesus
went about in all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues...Libertines (1 Occurrence)
... Godlike in its genesis and spirit. 1. "Synagogue of the Libertines": How
manysynagogues are denoted? The answer may aid in the...
Seats (40 Occurrences)
... protokathedria): It was one of the reproaches urged by our Lord against the scribes
and Pharisees that they loved the chief seats in thesynagogues (Matthew 23...
Best (252 Occurrences)
... to eat." (WEY). Matthew 23:6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the
best seats in thesynagogues, (WEB WEY RSV). Matthew 27:65...
Places (610 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when thou mayest pray, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites, because
they love in thesynagogues, and in the corners of the broad places...
Salamis (1 Occurrence)
... south-east coast of Cyprus (Acts 13:5), where Saul and Barnabas, on their first
missionary journey, preached the word in one of the Jewishsynagogues, of which...
Preached (75 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:39 And he preached in theirsynagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out
devils. (KJV WBS).... Luke 4:44 And he preached in thesynagogues of Galilee....
Uppermost (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Uppermost (11 Occurrences). Matthew 23:6 And love the
uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in thesynagogues, (KJV WBS)....
Governors (43 Occurrences)
... They will deliver you up to Sanhedrins; you will be brought intosynagogues and
cruelly beaten; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to...
Important (39 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 23:6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats
in thesynagogues, (See NIV). Matthew 23:17 You blind fools!...
Resources
What is a synagogue? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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