Brief Overview of διήγησις (G1335: diḗgēsis)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διήγησις (dee-AY-gay-sis)
• Etymology: The word διήγησις comes from the verb διηγέομαι (diēgéomai), which means “to narrate” or “to relate in full.” It is derived from the combination of “διά” (dia), meaning “through,” and “ἡγέομαι” (hēgéomai), meaning “to lead” or “to guide.” Thus, διήγησις essentially refers to the act of narration or a detailed account.
• Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Narration or Account: διήγησις primarily denotes a narration, a detailed account, or an explanation of events. It is often used in the context of storytelling, providing a thorough description or relation of events or ideas.
• Explanation: The term can also extend to mean an explanation or expounding of a particular matter, often in a structured and detailed manner.

Further Insights

• Gender: Feminine
• Number: Singular
• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative (depending on its use in the sentence)
• Declension: First declension

Further Insights Explained:

• διήγησις is a feminine noun of the first declension, typically used in singular form when referring to a single narrative or account. It is flexible in its case usage, depending on its grammatical role within a sentence, whether as the subject, object, or part of a possessive structure.

Disclaimer: The above morphological details are based on standard uses of the word in Greek. The specific case and form may change based on the word’s function in a particular sentence.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• BDAG defines διήγησις as “narrative, account,” particularly in contexts where a story or sequence of events is being recounted in detail. It is also used in literary contexts to describe the act of storytelling or the content of a story.
• Scripture References: Luke 1:1

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Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s Lexicon describes διήγησις as “a narrative or description,” emphasizing its use in the context of recounting events or explaining matters in detail.
• Scripture References: Luke 1:1

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s identifies διήγησις as a term meaning “narration,” often linked to the act of storytelling or giving a detailed explanation of events.
• Scripture References: Luke 1:1

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ highlights διήγησις as a word used in classical literature to denote a detailed narrative or account, particularly in historical and rhetorical contexts where thorough explanations are needed.
• Scripture References: Luke 1:1

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διήγησις simply as “narration,” focusing on its role in recounting or explaining events in detail.
• Scripture References: Luke 1:1

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Herodotus, Histories: In the works of Herodotus, διήγησις is used to describe the act of giving a full account of historical events, often in a narrative form that guides the reader through the events.
• Plato, Dialogues: Plato uses διήγησις in his philosophical dialogues to refer to the structured explanation or recounting of philosophical arguments or myths, providing a narrative framework for his discussions.
• Aristotle, Poetics: Aristotle references διήγησις in his discussions of drama and epic poetry, where the term is used to describe the narration of events within a literary work.

Summary

διήγησις (G1335: diḗgēsis) is a Greek noun meaning “narration” or “account,” derived from the verb διηγέομαι (diēgéomai). This word is primarily used to describe the act of narrating or providing a detailed explanation or account of events. In the New Testament, it is notably used in Luke 1:1, where it refers to the narrative account of the events of Jesus’ life. In classical Greek literature, διήγησις plays a significant role in storytelling, historical accounts, and philosophical discourse. Understanding this word enriches the comprehension of both biblical texts and ancient Greek literature, highlighting its importance in conveying detailed and structured narratives.