[Greek] συστέλλω (systellō), [Latin] deviare, [Latin] subtrahere: to draw to a close, to be overwhelmed, to be subjected, to be shortened, to be limited, to send (draw) together, to enwrap, to enshroud a corpse for burial, to contract, to wind up; Acts 5:6, 1Cor.7:2
The Arch of Titus (in Rome) depicts the Zealots John of Gischal and Simon being captured by the Roman army lead by Titus.
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term is found in various senses including drawing together, contracting, expressing disgust, retrenching, drawing in, reducing, cowering, moderating, humbling (abasing), being cast down, being shortened, being wrapped up, and cloaked. In a medical sense, this term means to bandage or compress a wound. Aristophanes’ Frogs 999 states, “Do not contradict in anger but reef in your sails (anger).” Hippocrates’ De Prisca Medicina states, “If you gape wide enough with the mouth, you cannot draw in any liquid.” Euripdes’ Iphigenia in Tauris states, “Astonished, we cowered together and sat in silence.”
Old Testament: This term, not used in a medical sense, is used both in an active and passive sense. The active sense includes to abase, to confound, to suffer, to overwhelm, and to press closely. The passive sense includes to be subjected, to be cowed, to be wounded, to be discouraged, and to be cast back on oneself. Josephus makes mention of the Roman military subjecting (overwhelming) Judea and making oneself little. Philo makes mention of the contraction of conceit and the mind contracting (becoming inactive).
Thus was Midian brought into subjection by the Israelites (Jdg.8:28). He inflicted a severe defeat on them (Jdg.11:33). Then Judas attacked the sons of Esau at Akrabattene in Idumea (1Macc.5:3). The lawbreakers were cowed by fear of him and all evildoers were dismayed (1Macc.3:6). My heart was embittered and my soul deeply wounded (Psa.72:21). I beg those who read this book not to be disheartened by these misfortunes (2Macc.6:12). So Hermon suffered an unexpected and dangerous threat (3Macc.5:33)
New Testament: This term, occurring only twice in the New Testament, means to draw to a close, to remove, or to wrap up. Paul says that the time for Christians to act is short. Christians must now act to follow Christ. The young men have come to take the body of Ananias away. They have wrapped his body and buried him. This term may refer to both removing and wrapping the body. The wrapping of the body was necessary for proper burial.
Scripture:
“I tell you, brothers, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives acts as not having them.” 1Cor7:29
Paul is telling the Christians that the time is short in following Christ.
“The young men came and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.” Acts 5:6
Ananias was taken away and was wrapped for burial.
Etymology: The Latin verb subtrahere means to withdraw, to withhold, to take away, and to deduct. The Latin subtractus is the past participle of this verb.
Conclusion:
Systole, systolic
I was really surprised by the many varied uses and meanings of this term in the Greek Hellenistic era. I would have never thought that this would mean bandaging or compressing a wound in a medical sense. There are quite a few examples of the negative sense of subjecting, overwhelming, or minimizing people. It is interesting to note the more nuanced meanings like being angry and cowering.
Although I am not surprised that this term does not have a medical sense in the Old Testament, I was surprised that this term is used in the sense of subjecting (in both an active and passive sense). After all, there existed a certain amount of conflict (battles and persecution) in this Old Testament era. Along with this comes a psychological sense of subjection.
This term essentially has the sense of drawing to a close and wrapping up in the New Testament. Systole is the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood from the chambers to the arteries.
Now it is time to wrap up this post.