Understanding διαχωρίζω (diachōrizō) Strong’s G1316: The Divine Separation that Reveals God’s Purposeful Design

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ah-khō-REE-zō (διαχωρίζω)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1316: διαχωρίζω (diachōrizō) fundamentally means “to separate completely” or “to part asunder.” This compound Greek verb conveys the action of one thing being distinctly separated from another, with emphasis on the completeness of the separation. In biblical usage, it often carries the nuance of a separation that occurs with purpose and significance, not merely physical division.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: Compound of διά (dia, “through, completely”) + χωρίζω (chōrizō, “to separate, divide”)
• Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative passages and accounts of significant events
• Frequency: Rare in the New Testament (only 1 occurrence)

διαχωρίζω Morphology:

• διαχωρίζω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I separate completely
• διαχωρίζομαι (present middle/passive indicative, 1st person singular) – I am being separated
• διεχωρίσθη (aorist passive indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it was separated
• διαχωρισθῆναι (aorist passive infinitive) – to be separated
• διαχωρίζοντες (present active participle, nominative plural masculine) – those who are separating

Origin & History

The verb διαχωρίζω emerged in classical Greek literature where it was used to denote complete separation or division. The prefix διά intensifies the root verb χωρίζω, emphasizing thoroughness in the action of separation. In Xenophon’s “Anabasis,” the term appears in military contexts to describe the complete separation of troops or divisions of an army.

In the Septuagint (LXX), διαχωρίζω appears in Genesis 1:4 where God separates light from darkness—a profoundly significant theological moment of divine ordering. This usage establishes an important precedent for understanding the term’s theological implications in Scripture: separation in the biblical context often signals God’s purposeful ordering and distinction-making rather than mere division. The use of this term in both creation narratives and later biblical passages demonstrates its importance in depicting God’s sovereign activity in establishing order from chaos.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete Separation – The thorough division of one thing from another, with emphasis on the finality or completeness of the separation
• Purposeful Distinction – Separation that establishes meaningful differences or categories
• Spatial Departure – Physical movement away from a place or person
• Theological Ordering – Divine action that establishes proper boundaries or distinctions in creation or covenant relationships

διαχωρίζω Translation Options:

• “To separate completely” – Captures the intensity of the διά prefix and emphasizes the thoroughness of the separation
• “To part asunder” – Highlights the result of the action, focusing on the state of being apart
• “To withdraw” – Appropriate when the context involves a person moving away from others
• “To depart” – Useful when the emphasis is on leaving a place rather than the division itself
• “To distinguish decisively” – Emphasizes the purposeful nature of the separation when used in theological contexts

Biblical Usage

The verb διαχωρίζω appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 9:33, where it describes Peter’s observation during the Transfiguration. The context is significant—Peter notices that Moses and Elijah are about to “depart” (διαχωρίζεσθαι) from Jesus following their appearance with Him in glory. This singular usage carries profound theological weight, as it occurs at a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry when His divine identity is being revealed.

While rare in the New Testament, the concept represented by διαχωρίζω connects to the broader biblical theme of divine separation that appears throughout Scripture. In the Septuagint, similar language is used to describe God’s act of separating light from darkness (Genesis 1:4) and His establishment of Israel as a people set apart. The term’s appearance at the Transfiguration links these Old Testament themes of divine separation with the revelation of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets.

• **”And it came about, as these were *departing* [διαχωρίζεσθαι] from Him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not realizing what he was saying.”** Luke 9:33

Cultural Insights

The Transfiguration scene where διαχωρίζω appears reflects profound cultural and theological symbolism within Jewish tradition. The presence of Moses and Elijah with Jesus represented the Law and the Prophets—the two pillars of Jewish Scripture and religious authority. Their appearance together, followed by their separation (διαχωρίζεσθαι) from Jesus, visually demonstrated a theological truth: while the Law and Prophets pointed to the Messiah, Jesus transcends them both.

Peter’s reaction to build three tabernacles (σκηνάς) connects this moment to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), during which Jews built temporary shelters to commemorate God’s presence with Israel in the wilderness. This festival also had messianic overtones, as many Jews expected the Messiah to be revealed during Sukkot. The use of διαχωρίζω in this context carries additional significance—it marks the moment when the representatives of the old covenant are separating from the inaugurator of the new covenant, signaling a divine transition in salvation history.

Theological Significance

The singular use of διαχωρίζω at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:33) carries profound theological implications. This separation of Moses and Elijah from Jesus visually portrayed the transition from the old covenant to the new. Immediately following their departure, the Father’s voice declares, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Luke 9:35). This divine pronouncement, coinciding with the separation (διαχωρίζεσθαι), confirms Jesus’ supreme authority that fulfills and transcends the Law and Prophets.

The theological concept of separation (διαχωρίζω) consistently appears in Scripture as part of God’s redemptive activity. From the separation of light and darkness in creation to the separation of Israel from other nations, and ultimately to the separation of the old and new covenants, God’s work often involves meaningful distinctions that reveal His purposes. The appearance of διαχωρίζω at the Transfiguration underscores that Jesus stands at the center of this divine pattern of separation—not as one who abolishes what came before, but as the One who fulfills it and brings it to completion, revealing God’s master plan of redemption that had been progressively unfolding since creation.

Personal Application

When we encounter the concept of διαχωρίζω in Scripture, we are invited to consider how God’s intentional separations bring clarity and purpose to our lives. Just as the departure of Moses and Elijah highlighted Jesus’ supreme authority, we too must allow certain things to “depart” from our lives so that Jesus alone might be magnified. This may involve separating ourselves from distractions, false sources of security, or even good things that have become ultimate things in our hearts.

The Transfiguration moment teaches us that true spiritual clarity often comes through divine separation. When we allow יהוה (Yahweh) to establish proper boundaries and distinctions in our lives—between truth and falsehood, between primary and secondary commitments, between the temporary and the eternal—we begin to see Jesus more clearly. In what areas of your life might you need to experience a holy διαχωρίζω, a complete separation that allows the glory of the Messiah to shine more brightly?

Related Words

• χωρίζω (chōrizō, “to separate, divide”) – The root word of διαχωρίζω, lacking the intensive prefix. It appears more frequently in the New Testament and carries the basic meaning of separation without necessarily emphasizing completeness. See G5563
• ἀφορίζω (aphorizō, “to mark off by boundaries, separate”) – Often used for setting something apart for a special purpose or function, especially in religious contexts. This term emphasizes the purpose of separation rather than just the act itself. See G873
• διαστέλλω (diastellō, “to distinguish, separate distinctly”) – Focuses on making clear distinctions or giving explicit instructions. Like διαχωρίζω, it contains the intensive prefix διά. See G1291
• μερίζω (merizō, “to divide, distribute, assign”) – Emphasizes the distribution that results from division, often with focus on apportioning or allotting. See G3307
• σχίζω (schizō, “to split, cleave, divide”) – Denotes a more violent or sudden separation, often with connotations of tearing or rending. See G4977

Did you Know?

• Did you know? The only appearance of διαχωρίζω in the New Testament occurs at the Transfiguration—a moment that Jewish tradition associates with the Feast of Tabernacles. This connection is significant because during this feast, Jews would build temporary shelters and pray for the coming of the Messiah. Peter’s reaction to build tabernacles (σκηνάς) at the very moment when Moses and Elijah were “separating” (διαχωρίζεσθαι) from Jesus portrays a profound truth: the temporary shelters of the old covenant were giving way to the permanent dwelling of God’s glory in the person of Jesus.
• Did you know? The Greek prefix διά in διαχωρίζω can carry the sense of “through” or “throughout,” suggesting that the separation described is thorough and complete. In medical contexts of ancient Greek, this prefix was often used to describe something that penetrates completely through an object. This adds a nuanced understanding to the Transfiguration scene—the departure of Moses and Elijah wasn’t merely a physical separation but a decisive, complete transition marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.
• Did you know? Modern Greek still uses forms of διαχωρίζω, particularly in scientific and technical contexts. In contemporary Greek, the noun form διαχωρισμός is used in chemistry to describe the separation of substances, in physics for the separation of particles, and in politics for the separation of church and state. This linguistic continuity reminds us that the biblical concept of meaningful, purposeful separation continues to shape our understanding of the world today.

Remember This

διαχωρίζω reveals that God’s most profound revelations often come through purposeful separation—not to create division, but to bring clarity that allows us to see His glory more distinctly.