Brief Overview of διαλείπω (G1257: dialeípō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διαλείπω (dialeípō) [dee-ah-LAY-poh]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, by means of and λείπω (G3007: leípō) meaning to leave, to forsake.

Word Breakdown:

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

Disclaimer: The above morphological breakdown reflects the word διαλείπω in its present active 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 leave or abandon something intermittently.
• To cease or desist from doing something temporarily.
• To pause or take a break, leaving something for a time.
• To leave something or someone behind for a period.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• διαλείπω is used to describe the act of leaving off or ceasing something, particularly in a way that is intermittent or temporary. It may imply taking a break from an activity or pausing before resuming it.
• Scripture References: Hebrews 4:10 (conceptually related).

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer defines διαλείπω as meaning to leave or to cease intermittently. It carries the connotation of pausing or stopping an activity for a period, with the possibility of returning to it later.
• Scripture References: Hebrews 4:10 (conceptually related).

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s notes that διαλείπω signifies a temporary cessation or a pause. It suggests that the action is left incomplete for a time, with an expectation of resuming it later.
• Scripture References: Hebrews 4:10 (conceptually related).

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ describes διαλείπω as to leave off or cease doing something, often temporarily. The term is used in both secular and philosophical contexts to denote a break or pause in action.
• Scripture References: Hebrews 4:10 (conceptually related).

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διαλείπω as a compound word from διά (G1223: diá) and λείπω (G3007: leípō), meaning to leave or desist intermittently. It suggests a temporary break or pause in an action or process.
• Scripture References: Hebrews 4:10 (conceptually related).

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Herodotus, Histories: In Herodotus’ work, διαλείπω is used to describe pauses or breaks in long journeys or battles, indicating a temporary cessation of action before continuing.
• Homer, Iliad: Homer employs διαλείπω in the context of warriors taking brief pauses during battles, reflecting the idea of a temporary halt before resuming the fight.
• Aristotle, Metaphysics: Aristotle uses διαλείπω to describe the idea of intermittent activity in philosophical discussions, where pauses are necessary for contemplation before continuing an argument or inquiry.

Summary

διαλείπω (G1257: dialeípō) is a Greek verb that primarily means to leave, cease, or pause something temporarily. It combines διά (through, by means of) and λείπω (to leave, to forsake), emphasizing the concept of an intermittent or temporary cessation of activity. The term is used to describe actions that are stopped for a time, with the potential for resuming later. In classical Greek literature, διαλείπω is often associated with pauses or breaks in physical or intellectual activity, whether in the context of travel, battle, or philosophical discourse. Although the word itself is not directly found in the New Testament, its conceptual usage is related to ideas of rest and cessation, as seen in passages like Hebrews 4:10. Overall, διαλείπω is a term that underscores the importance of taking breaks or pauses, whether for rest, reflection, or strategic reasons, before continuing with an action or process.