The Greek episynago (Strong's G1996) means 'to gather together,' 'to collect into one place,' or 'to assemble.' It combines epi (intensive) and synagō (to lead together). This word is used for the gathering of Israel by the Messiah — a powerful eschatological image appearing in Jesus's lament over Jerusalem and in His description of the gathering of the elect at the end of the age.
Jesus's use of episynago in His lament over Jerusalem — 'How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!' (Matthew 23:37) — is one of the most emotionally charged statements in the Gospels. The same word describes both the tender yearning of Jesus for Israel's embrace and the eschatological gathering of the elect (Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27). The image of gathering under wings directly echoes the Old Testament image of God gathering Israel 'under his wings' (Ruth 2:12; Psalm 91:4). The word thus bridges lament and hope: the One whose gathering was rejected will one day gather His people fully and permanently.