Brief Overview of διέρχομαι (G1330: dierchomai)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διέρχομαι (dierchomai) [dee-ER-khoh-my]
• Etymology: This verb is composed of two parts: the preposition διά (dia), meaning “through,” and the verb ἔρχομαι (erchomai), meaning “to come” or “to go.” Together, διέρχομαι conveys the sense of “going through” or “passing through.”
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

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• Pass Through: διέρχομαι primarily means to pass through or go through a place, often implying a journey or movement from one place to another.
• Travel: The verb is also used to describe traveling or journeying through a region or area.
• Endure: In a more figurative sense, διέρχομαι can imply enduring or going through an experience, particularly one that is challenging or significant.

Further Insights

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

Further Insights Explained:

• The word διέρχομαι, in its present tense, first person singular form, indicates an action currently being performed by the speaker (e.g., “I pass through” or “I travel through”). The middle voice suggests that the subject is both performing and being affected by the action. The indicative mood indicates a straightforward statement of fact.

Disclaimer: The above details apply specifically to this form of the word. Changes in person, number, tense, voice, or mood will alter its meaning and application depending on the context.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• διέρχομαι is described as “to go or pass through,” often in the context of traveling or moving from one location to another, or passing through a series of experiences.
• Scripture References: Luke 4:30, Acts 8:4, Acts 16:4

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s lexicon defines διέρχομαι as “to pass through” or “to go across,” emphasizing the act of moving through a space or experiencing something thoroughly.
• Scripture References: Matthew 19:24, Luke 2:15

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s notes that διέρχομαι is used in the New Testament to describe both literal and figurative journeys, focusing on the act of passing through spaces, regions, or experiences.
• Scripture References: Mark 11:16, Luke 13:22

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διέρχομαι as “to go through, pass through,” used in classical literature for both physical and metaphorical journeys, often highlighting the thoroughness of the passage.
• Scripture References: Acts 13:6, Acts 18:23

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s concordance lists διέρχομαι as “to traverse, travel, or go through,” highlighting its use in both literal and figurative contexts.
• Scripture References: Acts 9:32, 1 Corinthians 10:1

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Herodotus, Histories: διέρχομαι is used by Herodotus to describe the passage of armies or travelers through various regions, emphasizing the completion of a journey.
• Plato, Republic: Plato uses διέρχομαι in philosophical discussions to describe the progression of thoughts or arguments, metaphorically passing through stages of reasoning.
• Xenophon, Anabasis: In Xenophon’s works, the verb appears in the context of military campaigns, where troops pass through territories, highlighting the strategic movement through difficult landscapes.

Summary

διέρχομαι (G1330: dierchomai) is a Greek verb meaning “to pass through,” “to travel,” or “to endure.” Derived from the preposition διά (dia) and the verb ἔρχομαι (erchomai), it conveys the sense of going through something, whether it be a physical place or an experience. In the New Testament, it is used to describe both literal journeys, such as traveling through regions, and metaphorical ones, such as enduring trials or experiences. The word is also found in classical Greek literature, where it is used in contexts ranging from military campaigns to philosophical discussions. Understanding this verb provides insight into how the Greeks conceptualized movement, travel, and the passage of time or experiences, making it a significant term in both biblical and classical texts.