Understanding διανέμω (dianemo) Strong’s G1268: The Divine Distribution that Spreads God’s Truth Throughout Creation

Pronunciation Guide: dee-an-em’-o (with emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1268: διανέμω (dianemo) is a verb that fundamentally means “to distribute,” “to spread abroad,” or “to disseminate.” It carries the sense of methodically dividing and allocating something among many recipients. In biblical usage, it often conveys the idea of spreading information or influence across a wide area, particularly in contexts where ideas, teachings, or reports are being dispersed throughout a community.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Components: Compound of διά (dia, “through, thoroughly”) + νέμω (nemo, “to dispense, distribute, allot”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in contexts describing the spread of news, teachings, or reports
• Tense/Voice/Mood: Present Passive Infinitive (in Acts 4:17)

διανέμω Morphology:

• διανέμω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I distribute
• διανέμεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you distribute
• διανέμει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it distributes
• διανέμομεν (present active indicative, 1st person plural) – we distribute
• διανέμετε (present active indicative, 2nd person plural) – you distribute
• διανέμουσι(ν) (present active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they distribute
• διανέμεσθαι (present passive infinitive) – to be distributed/spread abroad (form used in Acts 4:17)

Origin & History

διανέμω has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used to describe the distribution of goods, lands, or responsibilities. Xenophon employed the term in his “Cyropaedia” (8.6.16) when describing how Cyrus distributed gifts and rewards to his subjects according to their merit. Similarly, Plato used the word in “Laws” (739c) when discussing the proper distribution of property in his ideal state.

In the Septuagint, διανέμω appears in 4 Maccabees 8:9, where it describes how the tyrant Antiochus sought to distribute the flesh of the seven brothers as punishment for their faithfulness to Torah. This usage bridges the classical meaning of physical distribution with the metaphorical sense of spreading influence or information that we see in the New Testament.

By the time of the New Testament, the word had taken on additional nuances related to the dissemination of information, teachings, or reports – a natural extension of its original meaning of distributing physical goods. Early church fathers like Clement of Alexandria in his “Stromata” further developed this usage, employing διανέμω to describe how divine wisdom is distributed among believers.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The systematic division and distribution of something among multiple recipients
• The active spreading of news, teachings, or information throughout a community
• The allocation of resources, responsibilities, or tasks among various individuals
• The dissemination of influence or authority across a geographical area

διανέμω Translation Options:

• Distribute – Emphasizes the systematic allocation of something among many recipients; captures the διά (thoroughly) + νέμω (distribute) structure
• Spread abroad – Highlights the geographical expansion implied in the διά prefix, particularly appropriate when referring to news or information
• Disseminate – Conveys the methodical nature of the distribution, especially suitable for contexts involving teachings or doctrine
• Disperse widely – Captures both the thoroughness (διά) and the allocation (νέμω) aspects of the word
• Propagate – Particularly appropriate when διανέμω refers to the spread of ideas or teachings that take root and multiply

Biblical Usage

διανέμω appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 4:17, where it describes the Sanhedrin’s concern about the spread of the apostles’ teaching about Yeshua. The Jewish leaders sought to prevent the news of the healing of the lame man from “spreading” throughout Jerusalem. The specific form used here is διανεμηθῇ, an aorist passive subjunctive, suggesting their concern that this teaching would be “thoroughly distributed” among the people without their ability to control it.

While rare in the New Testament, the concept represented by διανέμω is frequent throughout Scripture. The spread of the Gospel throughout Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth as described in Acts 1:8 reflects this principle of divine distribution. Similarly, in Acts 6:7, the word of God “spread” (though a different Greek term is used) and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.

• “But to prevent it from spreading [διανεμηθῇ] further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” Acts 4:17

Cultural Insights

In the ancient world, information spread differently than it does today. Without mass media, the dissemination of news or teachings required person-to-person contact, making διανέμω an especially significant concept. The Jewish authorities understood that ideas, once successfully “distributed” throughout a community, were nearly impossible to contain. This explains their urgent concern in Acts 4:17 to stop the apostles’ teaching before it could be further disseminated.

The concept also has roots in Jewish tradition regarding the spread of Torah knowledge. The rabbinical system was designed to distribute Torah teaching from the central authorities to the wider Jewish community. The phrase “raise up many disciples” from Pirkei Avot 1:1 reflects this value of methodically distributing sacred knowledge. When the Sanhedrin attempted to prevent the διανέμω of the apostles’ teaching, they were ironically trying to halt the very process of knowledge distribution that their own tradition valued—but only because they rejected Yeshua as the Messiah.

Theological Significance

The single use of διανέμω in Acts 4:17 carries profound theological implications. The Jewish authorities sought to prevent the spread of the apostles’ teaching, yet their efforts proved futile against God’s sovereign plan for the Gospel to be distributed throughout the world. This illustrates the unstoppable nature of God’s truth—it is designed to be διανέμω, thoroughly distributed among all peoples.

This concept connects powerfully to Yeshua’s parables about the Kingdom of Heaven being like leaven that spreads through the whole batch of dough (Matthew 13:33), or like a mustard seed that grows into a large tree (Matthew 13:31-32). God’s design for His truth is that it would be thoroughly distributed, not contained or controlled by human authorities. The irony in the Acts passage is striking—the very attempt to prevent the διανέμω of the Gospel became part of the narrative that has been distributed throughout the world for two millennia.

Moreover, διανέμω reflects the heart of God to distribute His blessings, truth, and salvation to all nations. From the Abrahamic covenant that promised blessing to “all families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3) to the Great Commission’s mandate to make disciples of “all nations” (Matthew 28:19), God’s redemptive plan has always involved the thorough distribution of His truth and presence.

Personal Application

The concept of διανέμω challenges believers to consider their role in the distribution of God’s truth. Are we actively participating in spreading the Gospel throughout our communities and beyond? The Sanhedrin recognized the power of distributed information to transform a society—do we similarly recognize the potential impact of thoroughly sharing our faith?

In our digital age, we have unprecedented opportunities for διανέμω—distributing truth across vast distances instantly. Yet this also means falsehood can spread just as quickly. As followers of Yeshua, we’re called to be intentional distributors of truth, love, and hope in a world where negativity and deception are also being “spread abroad.” When we share testimonies of God’s faithfulness or teach others about His Word, we participate in the divine διανέμω that has been expanding the Kingdom since Pentecost.

Related Words

• διαδίδωμι (diadidomi) (dee-ad-id’-o-mee) – to distribute, divide among many; focuses more specifically on giving something from one person to multiple recipients. Unlike διανέμω, it emphasizes the transfer of ownership rather than the spread of information. See G1239
• διασπείρω (diaspeiro) (dee-as-pi’-ro) – to scatter abroad, disperse; used in Acts to describe how persecution scattered believers who then spread the Gospel. Similar to διανέμω but carries connotations of scattering rather than methodical distribution. See G1287
• μερίζω (merizo) (mer-id’-zo) – to divide, separate, distribute; focuses on the division aspect rather than the distribution aspect. Where διανέμω emphasizes the spread of what is distributed, μερίζω emphasizes the portioning. See G3307
• διαγγέλλω (diaggello) (dee-ang-gel’-lo) – to proclaim, declare, announce thoroughly; focuses specifically on the spread of information through proclamation, while διανέμω can refer to any kind of distribution. See G1229
• σπείρω (speiro) (spi’-ro) – to sow, scatter seed; a metaphorical relative of διανέμω often used in Yeshua’s parables about spreading the word of God. Unlike διανέμω, it specifically invokes agricultural imagery. See G4687

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the same Greek root that gives us διανέμω (dianemo) also gives us the modern English word “nomad”? Both come from the Greek νέμω (nemo), which originally referred to the allocation of pastureland. Nomads were those who distributed themselves across different pastures according to the seasons. This connection illuminates how διανέμω involves not just random scattering but purposeful distribution according to need or design.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, the word “διανομή” (dianomi), derived from διανέμω, is commonly used for the distribution of mail and packages? This contemporary usage preserves the ancient sense of methodical allocation to specific recipients. When the New Testament describes the apostles’ teaching as being διανέμω, it suggests not random spreading but strategic delivery of the Gospel message to those who needed to hear it.
• Did you know that the concept behind διανέμω played a crucial role in the early church’s survival during periods of persecution? When believers were scattered from Jerusalem after Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 8:1), they inadvertently fulfilled the very process that the Sanhedrin had tried to prevent in Acts 4:17. The distribution of believers throughout Judea and Samaria led directly to the distribution of the Gospel in those regions, demonstrating how God used even persecution to accomplish His purpose of διανέμω—thoroughly distributing His truth.

Remember This

διανέμω reminds us that God’s truth cannot be contained—it is designed to be thoroughly distributed until it transforms every heart, home, and nation with the liberating message of Yeshua the Messiah.