Brief Overview of διακωλύω (G1254: diakōlýō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διακωλύω (diakōlýō) [dee-ah-ko-LOO-oh]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, by means of and κωλύω (G2967: kōlýō) meaning to hinder, to prevent.

Word Breakdown:

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

Disclaimer: The above morphological breakdown reflects the word διακωλύω in its present active indicative form. However, this breakdown can differ depending on the word’s use in different contexts within a sentence, where it may appear in various persons, numbers, tenses, voices, or moods.

Primary Meanings

• To hinder or prevent something from happening.
• To obstruct or delay an action or event.
• To oppose or stand in the way of something or someone.
• To thwart or frustrate an effort or purpose.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• διακωλύω is used to describe the act of preventing or hindering something, often with the intent to obstruct a particular action or event. It is frequently associated with delaying or impeding progress in some way.
• Scripture References: Acts 24:23

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer notes that διακωλύω is employed to signify the prevention or obstruction of something, whether by direct opposition or through creating delays. It can be used in contexts where there is an intent to stop or slow down an action.
• Scripture References: Acts 24:23

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s emphasizes that διακωλύω carries the connotation of hindering or obstructing. It often implies an active effort to prevent something from occurring or to delay its progress.
• Scripture References: Acts 24:23

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διακωλύω as meaning to hinder or prevent, particularly in contexts where an obstacle or obstruction is placed in the way of something. It is used in both physical and metaphorical senses.
• Scripture References: Acts 24:23

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s describes διακωλύω as a compound word formed from διά (G1223: diá) and κωλύω (G2967: kōlýō), meaning to prevent or hinder. It is often used to describe actions that are stopped or delayed intentionally.
• Scripture References: Acts 24:23

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses διακωλύω in contexts where military forces are prevented or hindered from advancing due to natural obstacles or enemy actions, illustrating its use in describing physical obstructions.
• Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War: Thucydides employs διακωλύω to describe political or diplomatic efforts that are thwarted or delayed by opposing forces, highlighting its metaphorical use in hindering progress.
• Plato, Laws: In Plato’s Laws, διακωλύω is used in the context of legal proceedings, where certain actions or decisions are hindered or delayed by legal or procedural obstacles.

Summary

διακωλύω (G1254: diakōlýō) is a Greek verb that conveys the idea of hindering, preventing, or obstructing something from happening. Derived from διά (through, by means of) and κωλύω (to hinder, to prevent), this word is commonly used in both physical and metaphorical contexts to describe actions that are stopped, delayed, or frustrated. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts where specific actions or events are deliberately impeded, reflecting its broader usage in classical Greek literature. Whether describing a physical barrier or an intentional effort to delay progress, διακωλύω highlights the concept of obstruction or prevention as a key aspect of its meaning. Its use in ancient texts underscores its importance in discussions of conflict, delay, and opposition, making it a significant term in understanding both historical and biblical narratives.