Brief Overview of διΐστημι (G1339: diístēmi)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διΐστημι (dee-IS-tay-mee)
• Etymology: The word διΐστημι is composed of the prefix διά (diá), meaning “through” or “apart,” and the verb ἵστημι (hístēmi), meaning “to stand” or “to set.” Combined, it gives the sense of “standing apart” or “causing to stand apart.”
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Separate: The primary meaning of διΐστημι is to separate or divide something or someone, often by setting them apart from a group or a location.
• Depart: It can also mean to depart or go away, emphasizing the action of moving away or leaving a place.
• Cause to Stand Apart: In some contexts, it implies causing others to stand apart, which can be used in a figurative sense to describe division or dissension among people.

Further Insights

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

Further Insights Explained:

• The word διΐστημι is in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood, indicating a continuous or ongoing action performed by the subject. In this form, the verb describes a current or habitual action of causing separation or standing apart.

Disclaimer: The morphological features of διΐστημι, such as tense, voice, and mood, may vary depending on its contextual usage in a sentence. The details provided above are specific to the form as presented.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• BDAG describes διΐστημι primarily as “to separate” or “to set apart,” with emphasis on both physical and metaphorical separation. It also includes the idea of departure or causing dissension.
• Scripture References: Acts 15:39 is one of the key verses cited, where Paul and Barnabas have a sharp disagreement and part ways, illustrating the separation aspect of the word.

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Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s Lexicon notes that διΐστημι can mean to set apart or separate, both in a physical sense and in terms of causing division among people or groups.
• Scripture References: Thayer highlights its usage in Acts 15:39 and adds other examples where the verb might be used metaphorically to indicate separation of ideas or opinions.

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ provides a broader range of meanings, including “to stand apart,” “to divide,” and “to cause to go away.” It emphasizes the verb’s usage in classical Greek to describe both literal and figurative separation.
• Scripture References: Though not directly used in the New Testament outside of Acts, the concept of separation and division it conveys is prevalent in various texts.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s discusses διΐστημι in the context of causing separation or standing apart, especially highlighting its role in descriptions of disagreements or departures.
• Scripture References: Vine’s focuses on Acts 15:39, using it as a key example of the word’s application in scriptural narrative.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s Concordance defines διΐστημι as “to stand apart” or “to separate,” and links it to situations of division or departure, providing a concise summary of its use in biblical and classical contexts.
• Scripture References: Acts 15:39 is a primary reference point for this verb.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses διΐστημι in a historical context to describe armies separating or parting ways after a conflict, emphasizing the physical act of moving apart.
• Sophocles, Oedipus Rex: In Oedipus Rex, the verb is employed metaphorically to describe the separation of truth from lies, illustrating how the protagonist’s journey involves separating falsehoods from reality.
• Plato, Republic: Plato uses διΐστημι in a philosophical context to discuss the division of the soul’s faculties, illustrating how different aspects of human nature can be set apart and examined individually.

Summary

διΐστημι (G1339: diístēmi) is a Greek verb that primarily means “to separate” or “to set apart.” It is derived from διά (diá) and ἵστημι (hístēmi), combining to convey the idea of standing or causing to stand apart. This verb can be used both literally, as in physically separating objects or people, and metaphorically, as in causing dissension or division among groups. The word is notably used in Acts 15:39 to describe the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, leading to their separation. Classical Greek literature provides various examples of this verb in action, ranging from historical descriptions of armies parting ways to philosophical discussions about the division of the soul’s faculties. Understanding διΐστημι enhances one’s comprehension of both biblical texts and classical Greek literature, where themes of separation, division, and departure are frequently explored.