Brief Overview of διαλέγομαι (G1256: dialégomai)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διαλέγομαι (dialégomai) [dee-ah-LEH-go-my]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, by means of and λέγω (G3004: légō) meaning to say, to speak.

Word Breakdown:

• Person: First person
• Number: Singular
• Tense: Present
• Voice: Middle
• Mood: Indicative

Disclaimer: The above morphological breakdown reflects the word διαλέγομαι in its present middle indicative form. However, this breakdown can differ depending on the word’s use in different contexts within a sentence, where it may appear in various persons, numbers, tenses, voices, or moods.

Primary Meanings

• To engage in dialogue or conversation.
• To discuss or argue a point through reasoning.
• To speak or converse with someone, often in a formal or structured manner.
• To debate or dispute, particularly in a setting where ideas are exchanged.

Lexicon Descriptions

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):

• διαλέγομαι is primarily used to denote engaging in a discussion or dialogue, often involving reasoning or debating. It implies a back-and-forth exchange of ideas, where both parties are actively participating in the conversation.
• Scripture References: Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4, Acts 24:12

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer explains διαλέγομαι as involving a discussion or reasoning process. It often implies a form of dialogue where ideas are exchanged, sometimes with the intention of persuading or convincing the other party.
• Scripture References: Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4, Acts 24:12

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Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• According to Vine’s, διαλέγομαι means to discuss or reason, usually in the context of a formal dialogue or debate. The term is often used in situations where arguments or ideas are being presented and evaluated.
• Scripture References: Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4, Acts 24:12

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διαλέγομαι as to speak in turn or engage in a discussion. It is frequently associated with philosophical or rhetorical discussions, where reasoning and logic are central to the exchange.
• Scripture References: Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4, Acts 24:12

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s describes διαλέγομαι as a middle voice verb derived from διά (G1223: diá) and λέγω (G3004: légō), meaning to discuss or dispute. It is commonly used in contexts where reasoning or argumentation is involved, particularly in a public or formal setting.
• Scripture References: Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4, Acts 24:12

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Plato, Republic: Plato uses διαλέγομαι extensively in his dialogues, where Socratic questioning and discussion form the core method of exploring philosophical ideas and concepts. The word reflects the process of reasoning and debating essential to philosophical inquiry.
• Aristotle, Rhetoric: Aristotle employs διαλέγομαι to describe the process of logical argumentation and persuasion, particularly in rhetorical contexts where the goal is to convince an audience through structured reasoning.
• Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War: Thucydides uses διαλέγομαι to depict the deliberations and debates among Athenian leaders, illustrating the term’s application in political and strategic discussions where decisions are made through dialogue and reasoning.

Summary

διαλέγομαι (G1256: dialégomai) is a Greek verb that primarily means to engage in dialogue or discussion, often with an emphasis on reasoning, argumentation, or debate. Derived from διά (through, by means of) and λέγω (to say, to speak), the term captures the essence of conversational exchange where ideas are presented, evaluated, and discussed. In the New Testament, διαλέγομαι is frequently used to describe the Apostle Paul’s engagements in synagogues and public forums, where he reasoned with his listeners about the Scriptures and the gospel. Its usage in classical Greek literature, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle, underscores its importance in philosophical and rhetorical contexts, where dialogue and debate are central to the exploration of truth and knowledge. Overall, διαλέγομαι is a key term for understanding the dynamics of conversation and discourse in both ancient Greek thought and the early Christian context.