Brief Overview of διαπρίω (G1282: diapríō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διαπρίω (diapríō) [dee-ah-PREE-oh]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, by means of and πρίω (G4249: príō) meaning to saw, to cut. The compound form suggests the action of cutting through or sawing through something.
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

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• To saw asunder or cut through: Refers to the literal act of sawing something in half or cutting through an object.
• To be sawn or cut in two: Can imply the action of being divided or separated by cutting.
• To be torn or split with anger: Metaphorically, the term can also describe the intense emotional reaction of being deeply vexed or angered, as if being “cut” internally.

Further Insights

• Person: Third person
• Number: Plural
• Tense: Aorist
• Voice: Passive
• Mood: Indicative

Further Insights Explained:

• The word διαπρίω in its typical New Testament usage appears in the third person plural, aorist, passive, indicative form. This form would be translated as “they were sawn asunder” or “they were cut through” in English. The aorist tense indicates a completed action, the passive voice shows that the subject is acted upon, and the indicative mood reflects a statement of fact.

Disclaimer: The morphological details provided above pertain to the common biblical usage of διαπρίω, particularly in its aorist, passive, indicative form. The form can change based on different contexts within a sentence.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• διαπρίω is defined as the act of sawing asunder or cutting through. The term can refer to both a literal and a metaphorical cutting, with the latter used to describe a strong emotional response such as being deeply vexed or angered.
• Scripture References: Acts 5:33, Acts 7:54

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer defines διαπρίω as meaning to saw asunder, to cut in two, or to be torn apart. This term is used both in the physical sense of dividing an object and in the emotional sense of being deeply agitated or angered.
• Scripture References: Acts 5:33, Acts 7:54

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s describes διαπρίω as to saw asunder or cut in two. It also notes the metaphorical usage in the New Testament, where it describes the intense emotional reaction of individuals being “cut” with anger or conviction.
• Scripture References: Acts 5:33, Acts 7:54

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διαπρίω primarily as to saw asunder or cut through. In classical literature, it is used both literally, to describe the action of cutting, and metaphorically, to describe the sharp emotional pain or anger experienced by someone.
• Scripture References: Acts 5:33, Acts 7:54

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διαπρίω as a compound word from διά (G1223: diá) and πρίω (G4249: príō), meaning to saw asunder or to cut through. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts in the New Testament to describe the act of cutting or the experience of being deeply vexed.
• Scripture References: Acts 5:33, Acts 7:54

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses διαπρίω to describe the literal act of sawing through wood or other materials, often in the context of construction or craftsmanship.
• Plato, Phaedo: Plato employs the term metaphorically to describe the intellectual or emotional process of being “cut” or deeply troubled by a difficult idea or philosophical concept.
• Xenophon, Cyropaedia: Xenophon uses διαπρίω in both literal and metaphorical senses, describing the physical act of cutting as well as the emotional pain or anger experienced during intense situations.

Summary

διαπρίω (G1282: diapríō) is a Greek verb that primarily means to saw asunder or to cut through, derived from διά (through, by means of) and πρίω (to saw or cut). The term carries both a literal meaning, referring to the physical act of cutting something in half, and a metaphorical meaning, describing an intense emotional reaction such as being deeply vexed or angered. In the New Testament, διαπρίω is used in Acts 5:33 and Acts 7:54 to describe the deep emotional turmoil or anger experienced by individuals, as if they were being “cut to the heart.” The word is also found in classical Greek literature, where it appears in contexts involving both physical cutting and metaphorical expressions of emotional pain. Overall, διαπρίω highlights the powerful imagery of cutting and dividing, making it an essential term for understanding both physical actions and emotional experiences in ancient and biblical contexts.