Brief Overview of διαστρέφω (G1294: diastrephō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διαστρέφω (diastrephō) [dee-ah-STREF-oh]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, thoroughly and στρέφω (G4762: strephō) meaning to turn, to twist. The compound form suggests a thorough twisting, turning, or distortion of something.
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

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• To distort or twist: Refers to the act of twisting or distorting something from its original or intended form, often implying a negative alteration.
• To pervert or corrupt: Implies the moral or ethical corruption of something, often leading it away from its true or proper state.
• To turn away or divert: Can also mean to turn something or someone away from a particular path, direction, or purpose, often with negative connotations.

Further Insights

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

Further Insights Explained:

• The word διαστρέφω in this form is in the third person singular, present, active, indicative form. It can be translated as “he/she/it distorts” or “he/she/it corrupts.” The present tense indicates ongoing or habitual action, the active voice shows that the subject is performing the action, and the indicative mood reflects that it is a statement of fact.

Disclaimer: The morphological details provided above reflect the specific form of διαστρέφω in its present, active, indicative form. The word’s usage and meaning may vary depending on context and sentence structure.

Lexicon Descriptions

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

• διαστρέφω is defined as to distort, twist, or pervert, particularly in the sense of turning something away from its intended purpose or truth. The term often carries strong negative connotations of corruption or moral deviation.
• Scripture References: Luke 23:2, Acts 13:10, Philippians 2:15

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer defines διαστρέφω as meaning to distort, pervert, or turn away. It emphasizes the act of twisting or corrupting something from its original state or intention, often with a focus on moral or ethical corruption.
• Scripture References: Luke 23:2, Acts 13:10, Philippians 2:15

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s describes διαστρέφω as to turn away, to pervert, or to distort, particularly in contexts where truth or righteousness is being twisted or corrupted. The term is often used to describe actions that lead others astray or turn them away from the right path.
• Scripture References: Luke 23:2, Acts 13:10, Philippians 2:15

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διαστρέφω as to turn, twist, or pervert. The term is frequently used in classical literature to describe both physical turning or twisting and metaphorical distortion or corruption, especially in moral or intellectual contexts.
• Scripture References: Luke 23:2, Acts 13:10, Philippians 2:15

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διαστρέφω as a compound word from διά (G1223: diá) and στρέφω (G4762: strephō), meaning to distort, twist, or pervert. It is used to describe actions that twist or corrupt something from its intended form or purpose.
• Scripture References: Luke 23:2, Acts 13:10, Philippians 2:15

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Plato, Republic: Plato uses διαστρέφω to describe the corruption of the soul and the perversion of justice, where individuals or societies turn away from truth and righteousness.
• Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle employs the term to discuss the perversion of virtues, where good qualities are twisted into vices through misuse or misdirection.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses διαστρέφω to describe the distortion of facts or events, particularly in the context of propaganda or misinformation that leads people away from the truth.

Summary

διαστρέφω (G1294: diastrephō) is a Greek verb that primarily means to distort, twist, or pervert. Derived from διά (through, thoroughly) and στρέφω (to turn, to twist), the term conveys a strong sense of negative alteration, whether physical, moral, or intellectual. In the New Testament, διαστρέφω is used in various contexts to describe the distortion of truth, the perversion of justice, or the corruption of individuals, as seen in passages like Luke 23:2, Acts 13:10, and Philippians 2:15. The word also appears frequently in classical Greek literature, where it is used to discuss the twisting or corruption of virtues, justice, and truth. Overall, διαστρέφω highlights the concept of distortion and perversion, making it a significant term in understanding both ancient and biblical perspectives on corruption, deviation, and moral decline.