Brief Overview of δίς (G1364: dis)

Word Details

• Transliteration: δίς (dis)
• Etymology: The word δίς is derived from the root “δί-” (di-), meaning “two” or “twice.” It is related to other Greek words such as διπλοῦς (diplous, meaning “double”) and διχόω (dichoo, meaning “to divide”).
• Part of Speech: Adverb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Twice: The primary meaning of δίς is “twice,” indicating an action or state that occurs two times.
• In Two Instances: It can also be used to refer to something that happens in two separate instances or occasions.
• Double: While not as common, δίς can imply the concept of “double” in a broader sense, such as doubling an effort or an outcome.

Further Insights

• Morphology: δίς is a simple adverb that remains unchanged regardless of the grammatical context in which it is used. It directly modifies verbs to indicate that the action occurs twice.
• Usage in Context: The adverb is straightforward in its application, used in sentences where something needs to be emphasized as occurring two times. For example, in the New Testament, δίς is used to indicate actions that are repeated or events that take place twice.
• Comparison with Other Adverbs: δίς is often used in contrast with other numerical adverbs like τρίς (tris, meaning “thrice”) or ἅπαξ (hapax, meaning “once”). Each serves to modify the verb by specifying the number of occurrences.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• BDAG describes δίς as an adverb meaning “twice” or “two times.” It notes its usage in both classical Greek literature and the New Testament to indicate repeated actions or dual occurrences.
• Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:16 – “For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once (δίς) when I was in need.”

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s emphasizes the adverbial nature of δίς, highlighting its role in indicating actions that happen twice. It also notes its consistency in meaning across different contexts.
• Scripture Reference: Hebrews 9:28 – “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time (δίς), not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

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• Strong’s Concordance identifies δίς as G1364, meaning “twice.” It confirms the adverb’s role in emphasizing the frequency of an action or event.
• Scripture Reference: Jude 1:12 – “These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead (δὶς ἀποθανόντα) and pulled up by the roots.”

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s Dictionary notes the adverbial use of δίς, pointing out that it is most commonly found in the context of repeated actions or events. It highlights its role in the Greek language as a precise modifier.
• Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 2:18 – “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again (δίς)—but Satan blocked our way.”

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Homer’s Iliad: In Homer’s epic, δίς is used to describe repeated actions in battle, such as striking twice with a weapon or engaging an enemy in combat twice.
• Herodotus’ Histories: Herodotus uses δίς in recounting events that occurred twice, particularly in the context of repeated historical occurrences.
• Plato’s Republic: Plato employs δίς in philosophical discussions to emphasize the repetition of an argument or concept for clarity.

Summary

The Greek adverb δίς (G1364) is a straightforward term meaning “twice” or “two times.” It serves as a precise modifier in Greek, used to indicate that an action or event occurs twice. δίς is consistently used in both classical Greek literature and the New Testament to emphasize repetition. Its simplicity and clarity make it a valuable word in contexts where the frequency of an action is significant. Understanding δίς helps in grasping the nuances of repeated actions or events in both ancient texts and biblical passages.