What is Paul's Handkerchief?

Paul's Handkerchief combines the latest in biblical scholarship alongside 'coffee with Jesus' activities to reclaim the Ancient Near East context, romance, and mystery of our Bibles.

What is the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge?

Few people who start reading the Bible ever finish it. The cover-to-cover challenge is for those ready to break that cycle — reading the entire Bible at their own pace, backed by community and tools built to make finishing not just possible, but inevitable. You will also get a certificate to celebrate your achievement each time.

What is Coffee with Jesus?

Having a coffee with Jesus is about spending quality time with Him. It isn't just Bible study, but a personal, intimate conversation with Him. Think less classroom, more kitchen table. The devotionals, quizzes, crosswords and journaling are all designed to let the Word shape your heart, not just your head.

What is the F.O.G. Bible Project?

Most English Bibles can't carry the full weight of what's in the original Hebrew and Greek. The F.O.G. Bible Project exists to change that: three new translations built publicly (a Study Bible, a Reader's Paraphrase, and F.O.G. Family), plus a word-by-word renewal of Strong's Concordance. It is Jean Paul Joseph's lifelong work, unfolding in public — and you're invited in.

Jean Paul Joseph is the lead editor of the F.O.G. Bible Project. He works from a personal encounter with Jesus first, then draws on the scholarship of respected Jewish and Christian scholars to produce resources designed for falling in love with the Word.

How do I get started?

Join the club, pick a Bible translation and a reading style that fits you, and you're in. From there, the app tracks your progress and helps keep you showing up — day after day, chapter after chapter.

How do I use this website?

This website has three main areas: the Cover-to-Cover Bible Challenge, Coffee with Jesus, and Study Guides. The Challenge helps you finish the Bible, Coffee with Jesus helps you fall in love with Him, and the Study Guides deepen your understanding of what the Word meant in its original context. To open the study features, simply click a verse in the Bible or select Library in the top navigation.

How much should I read each day?

That's up to you, but we recommend starting with a manageable goal and building up as the habit forms. One or two chapters a day is a great place to start, and three chapters a day will take you through the Bible in a year. If you want full immersion, the 6-Track plan lets you read up to six chapters a day across different sections of Scripture at once.

I prefer reading a physical Bible. What do I do?

We agree, and our goal is to eventually offer F.O.G. Bibles in print. In the meantime, you can read from a physical Bible and still use this website to track your progress and access the study features.

What is the 6-Track Bible reading plan?

The 6-Track plan has you read up to six chapters a day from six different sections of Scripture at the same time. It's adapted from Professor Grant Horner's method, and within eight months you'll read the whole Bible at least once, with parts like the Gospels and Psalms read more than once. It's built for deep immersion and takes about half an hour a day. You don't have to read six chapters daily, but if you choose this plan, we recommend at least three. You can also choose another plan on this website, such as the chronological option.

How do XP and ranks work?

Every activity earns you XP, which moves you through seven Hebrew ranks: Talmid, Mechoker, Maskil, Sofer, Moreh, Chacham, and Zaken. Each is named after a biblical word for going deeper into the Word. Beyond Zaken, five gem tiers await: Pearl, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Diamond. Each gem is added to your profile once you reach it.

How do I earn my Certificate of Completion?

You'll receive your certificate when you mark the final chapter of your cover-to-cover Bible Challenge as read. It's generated automatically and added to your profile. Free members receive a digital copy, while patrons receive an archival-quality certificate mailed to their door, ready for framing. You earn a new certificate every time you finish the Bible on this website.

How does patronage work?

A one-time gift of any amount earns you the Giver badge and a trial of RabbAI: 3 months, or 12 months for gifts of $50 or more. An active monthly gift of any amount earns you the Patron badge and keeps your RabbAI access going for as long as the gift continues. Give $50 and you'll receive a certificate mailed to your door when you complete the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge. Give $100 and you can sponsor a verse or page of your choice on this website. Your gift fuels this ministry, and we're grateful for your support.

G4940 (συντυγχάνω)

Summary

Quick facts

Strong’s Number: G4940
Original Word: συντυγχάνω
Transliteration: syntynchánō
Pronunciation: soon-toong-khan'-o
Part of Speech: verb
Root / Etymology: from G4862 (σύν) and G5177 (τυγχάνω);
Frequency: 1×
Gematria: 2804

Where it appears

Loading distribution…

Definition

Strong 1890 to chance together, i.e. meet with (reach)

come at

from G4862 (σύν) and G5177 (τυγχάνω);

Commentary

Contributors:

Strong's G4940: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and τυγχάνω (to happen upon), meaning "to meet with, come upon." In Luke's Gospel, it describes attempts to meet Jesus, highlighting the human desire for divine encounter amid crowds and circumstances.

U- Unveiling the Word

συντυγχάνω beautifully captures the moment of divine appointment. As a compound word, it joins σύν (with, together) and τυγχάνω (to happen upon, meet), creating a term that describes purposeful encounters. In Luke's Gospel, it appears when Jesus' family seeks to meet Him, illustrating both physical and spiritual aspects of seeking divine presence. The early church saw this word as symbolizing humanity's quest to encounter God. Today, it reminds us of our own journey to meet the Messiah amid life's crowds and obstacles.

N - Necessary Information

Greek Word: συντυγχάνω, syntynchanō, soon-toon-KHAN-oh
Pronunciation Guide: 'soon' as in 'soon', 'toon' as in 'tune', 'khan' as in 'khan', 'oh' as in 'go'
Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

σύν (syn) - prefix meaning "with" or "together"
τυγχάνω (tynchanō) - root verb meaning "to happen upon, meet"
The prefix σύν adds intentionality to the meeting
The root τυγχάνω indicates the actual encounter

D - Defining Meanings

To meet with
To come together with
To encounter
To arrive at together
To reach simultaneously

For compound words:
σύν intensifies τυγχάνω's basic meaning of happening upon something, creating a word that emphasizes intentional meeting or planned encounter.

Translation Options:

"To meet with" - Best captures the intentional nature of the encounter
"To come upon" - Emphasizes the element of discovery
"To encounter together" - Highlights the mutual aspect of the meeting

E - Exploring Similar Words

ἀπαντάω (apantaō, ap-an-TAH-oh) - to meet, encounter - See G528
συναντάω (synantaō, soon-an-TAH-oh) - to meet with - See G4876
προσέρχομαι (proserchomai, pros-ER-kho-mai) - to come to - See G4334

R - Reviewing the Word's Morphology

As a verb, συντυγχάνω exhibits these features:

Tense: Present, Aorist
Voice: Active
Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Optative
Person: First, Second, Third
Number: Singular, Plural
Aspect: Imperfective (Present), Perfective (Aorist)

The word would morph in English as follows:

Leave your mark

Sponsor a Verse

A $100 gift puts your name — on the verse or page you sponsor, so everyone who reads it sees your love for the Word.

In your name — or in memory of someone you love

Present: I meet with, you meet with, he/she/it meets with
Past: I met with, you met with, he/she/it met with
Perfect: I have met with, you have met with, he/she/it has met with

S - Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes συντυγχάνω's use in describing purposeful encounters. Thayer's notes its development from chance meetings to arranged encounters. LSJ documents extensive usage in formal meetings. Vine's connects it to significant encounters. Strong's highlights the compound nature suggesting mutual purpose. LEH traces its usage in diplomatic contexts. Moulton and Milligan find it common in describing important meetings.

T - Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not [συντυγχάνω] come at him for the press. Luke 8:19

Additional References:
None - This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A - Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Xenophon: Memorabilia	"Socrates met with [συντυγχάνω] his students in the marketplace daily."
Plato: Republic	"When we happen to meet [συντυγχάνω] with wisdom, we must pursue it."
Thucydides: History	"The ambassadors met [συντυγχάνω] to discuss terms of peace."

N - Noteworthy Summary

συντυγχάνω powerfully illustrates our quest to encounter the Messiah. Just as Jesus' family sought to meet Him through the crowd, we too seek divine encounters amid life's pressing circumstances. This word reminds us that meeting Jesus requires both divine appointment and human initiative.

D - Did You Know?

The word was commonly used in ancient diplomatic correspondence for arranged meetings
Early Christian writers used it to describe encounters with holy persons
It appears in ancient papyri describing scheduled meetings between officials

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: encounter, meeting, divine appointment, seeking, Jesus, crowds, family, presence, purpose, intentionality

Resources