Brief Overview of διορύσσω (G1358: dioryssō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διορύσσω (dee-o-ROO-so)
• Etymology: The word διορύσσω is derived from two Greek root words: “διά” (diá), meaning “through” or “across,” and “ὀρύσσω” (oryssō), meaning “to dig” or “to excavate.” Thus, διορύσσω literally translates to “to dig through.”
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

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• To Dig Through: The primary meaning of διορύσσω is “to dig through” or “to break through” something, typically referring to a wall or another barrier.
• To Break In: The term can also imply the act of breaking in, often used in the context of burglars who dig through walls to enter a house or building.
• To Bore Through: In a broader sense, διορύσσω can be used metaphorically to describe the act of boring through obstacles or barriers, whether literal or figurative.

Further Insights

• Morphology and Structure: διορύσσω is a compound verb formed from the preposition διά (diá) and the verb ὀρύσσω (oryssō). The prefix διά strengthens the action of the verb, emphasizing the thoroughness of the digging or breaking process.
• Usage in Context: The verb διορύσσω is often used in contexts related to robbery or unauthorized entry, where someone digs through a wall or barrier to gain access. It carries connotations of stealth and determination.
• Cultural Implications: In the cultural context of ancient Greece, where homes were often constructed with materials that could be breached by determined burglars, the term διορύσσω would have been a vivid and evocative word.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• BDAG defines διορύσσω as “to dig through” or “to break through,” emphasizing its usage in the context of burglars who dig through walls to gain entry into a building.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:19-20 – The term is used metaphorically in Jesus’ teaching about storing treasures in heaven, where thieves cannot “dig through” and steal.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s notes that διορύσσω is used specifically in the context of digging through a wall or barrier, often for the purpose of theft or unauthorized entry.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 24:43 – The word is used in the context of a thief breaking into a house, illustrating the unexpected nature of the Lord’s coming.

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ provides a broader definition, including “to dig through” or “to break through” in various contexts, both literal and metaphorical.
• Classical Reference: Used in classical texts to describe the physical act of digging or breaking through a barrier, whether in construction or destruction.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s highlights the term’s connection to the concept of theft or burglary, where someone digs through a wall or barrier to steal.
• Scripture Reference: Luke 12:39 – Used to describe the action of a thief breaking in, reinforcing the need for vigilance.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διορύσσω as “to dig through,” particularly in the context of a thief’s activity, emphasizing its usage in metaphorical teachings about vigilance and spiritual preparedness.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:19 – Used in Jesus’ teaching about treasures in heaven, where thieves cannot “dig through” and steal.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Herodotus’ Histories: Herodotus uses the concept of διορύσσω when describing how enemies might dig through city walls during a siege, emphasizing the term’s association with strategic breaches.
• Homer’s Iliad: In the Iliad, διορύσσω is used metaphorically to describe the breaking through of enemy lines, reinforcing the idea of overcoming obstacles through force or cunning.
• Xenophon’s Anabasis: Xenophon mentions διορύσσω in the context of soldiers digging through earthworks or fortifications during military campaigns, underscoring the term’s application to both construction and destruction.

Summary

διορύσσω (G1358: dioryssō) is a Greek verb that fundamentally represents the act of digging through or breaking through a barrier, often in the context of theft or unauthorized entry. The word is a compound of “διά” (diá), meaning “through,” and “ὀρύσσω” (oryssō), meaning “to dig,” emphasizing the thoroughness of the action.

In the New Testament, διορύσσω is used metaphorically in teachings about spiritual vigilance and preparedness, as seen in Matthew 6:19-20 and Matthew 24:43. The term is also prevalent in classical Greek literature, where it is used both literally and metaphorically to describe the act of breaching barriers, whether physical or strategic.

Overall, διορύσσω is a vivid term that captures the intensity and determination involved in overcoming obstacles, making it a powerful word in both ancient Greek culture and biblical teachings.