Brief Overview of διασπάω (G1288: diaspaō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διασπάω (diaspaō) [dee-ah-SPAH-oh]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, thoroughly and σπάω (G4685: spaō) meaning to draw, to pull, to tear. The compound form intensifies the action, suggesting a forceful or complete tearing or pulling apart.
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To tear apart or asunder: Refers to the action of forcefully tearing or pulling something into pieces, often implying violence or destruction.
• To break or pull apart: Indicates the act of separating something into parts by pulling or tearing.
• To dislocate or disrupt: Can also imply the disruption or dislocation of something that was previously whole or connected.

Further Insights

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

Further Insights Explained:

• The word διασπάω in this form is in the third person singular, present, active, indicative form. It would translate as “he/she/it tears apart” or “he/she/it pulls apart.” The present tense indicates an ongoing or habitual action, the active voice shows that the subject is performing the action, and the indicative mood reflects a factual statement.

Disclaimer: The morphological details provided above are specific to the word διασπάω in its present, active, indicative form. These details may change depending on the context and use within different sentences.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• διασπάω is defined as to tear or pull apart with force. The term often carries connotations of violence or intense effort, particularly in the context of breaking or separating something that is tightly bound or connected.
• Scripture References: Luke 9:42, Acts 23:10

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Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer defines διασπάω as meaning to pull asunder, tear apart, or break. It emphasizes the force and intensity involved in the action, often used to describe situations where something is violently separated or destroyed.
• Scripture References: Luke 9:42, Acts 23:10

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s describes διασπάω as to tear or break apart, highlighting the violent or forceful nature of the action. It is used to convey the idea of dislocation or disruption, whether physical or metaphorical.
• Scripture References: Luke 9:42, Acts 23:10

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διασπάω as to tear apart, to dislocate, or to pull asunder. The term is frequently used in classical literature to describe the physical act of tearing or pulling something into pieces, as well as metaphorical dislocation or disruption.
• Scripture References: Luke 9:42, Acts 23:10

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διασπάω as a compound word from διά (G1223: diá) and σπάω (G4685: spaō), meaning to tear apart or dislocate. It is used to describe the action of forcefully pulling or tearing something into pieces, often with an implication of violence or destruction.
• Scripture References: Luke 9:42, Acts 23:10

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Homer, Iliad: Homer uses διασπάω to describe the act of tearing armor or shields apart in battle, emphasizing the violent and destructive nature of the action.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus employs the term to depict the dislocation of communities or the breaking apart of alliances during conflicts, highlighting the forceful separation of what was once unified.
• Sophocles, Oedipus Rex: Sophocles uses διασπάω in a metaphorical sense to describe the tearing apart of familial bonds and the dislocation of societal order, reflecting the intense emotional and social disruption caused by the actions of the characters.

Summary

διασπάω (G1288: diaspaō) is a Greek verb that primarily means to tear apart, pull asunder, or dislocate. Derived from διά (through, thoroughly) and σπάω (to draw, to pull), the term emphasizes the forceful and often violent action of breaking or tearing something into pieces. In the New Testament, διασπάω is used in Luke 9:42 to describe the forceful action of tearing apart, as well as in Acts 23:10 to depict a physical struggle leading to dislocation or disruption. The word also appears frequently in classical Greek literature, where it is used to describe both literal and metaphorical acts of tearing, pulling, and dislocation. Overall, διασπάω highlights the concept of violent separation and disruption, making it a significant term in understanding both ancient and biblical contexts of destruction, dislocation, and disunity.