Understanding διέρχομαι (dierchomai) Strong’s G1330: The Divine Journey Through Physical and Spiritual Realms

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ER-khoh-mai (the ‘kh’ represents a guttural sound similar to the ‘ch’ in Scottish “loch”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1330: διέρχομαι (dierchomai) primarily means to go through, pass through, or travel through a place or region. It describes movement that completely traverses from one point to another, often implying purposeful journey or thorough penetration. The word carries connotations of complete passage, suggesting not merely entering but fully passing through something, whether physical territory, a crowd of people, or even metaphorically through a period of time or spiritual experience.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb (deponent middle/passive form)
• Compound Word: Formed from the preposition διά (dia, “through”) + ἔρχομαι (erchomai, “to come/go”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek with continued usage in Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative passages, historical accounts, and teaching sections
• Voice: Deponent (middle/passive form but active in meaning)
• Tense Options: Present, imperfect, future, aorist, perfect

διέρχομαι Morphology:

• διέρχομαι (present indicative, 1st person singular) – I go through/pass through
• διήρχετο (imperfect indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she was passing through
• διελθεῖν (aorist infinitive) – to pass through
• διήλθον (aorist indicative, 1st person singular) – I passed through/went through
• διεληλύθαμεν (perfect indicative, 1st person plural) – we have passed through
• διελθών (aorist participle, masculine nominative singular) – having passed through

Origin & History

The compound verb διέρχομαι has ancient roots in classical Greek literature where it described physical movement through geographic locations. In works like Herodotus’ “Histories,” the term frequently appears when describing journeys through territories, as in “διῆλθον τὴν χώραν” (“they passed through the land”). Xenophon similarly employs it in his “Anabasis” to document military movements through various regions.

In the Septuagint (LXX), διέρχομαι gained additional theological significance. It appears in Genesis 15:17 to describe the torch that “passed through” the pieces of the covenant sacrifice that Yahweh made with Abraham, highlighting divine movement with covenantal implications. The term continues throughout the historical narratives of the Hebrew Bible, particularly in describing the movements of individuals or armies passing through territories, as in Exodus 14:22 where the Israelites “passed through” the Red Sea on dry ground.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Physical Movement: Traveling through a geographical area from one point to another
• Penetration: Going through a barrier or boundary completely
• Spiritual Movement: Metaphorical movement through spiritual realms or states
• Temporal Passage: Moving through or completing a period of time
• Thorough Investigation: Examining something completely from beginning to end

διέρχομαι Translation Options:

• Pass through – Emphasizes complete traversal from one side to another, highlighting the preposition διά (through)
• Go about – Suitable when the context suggests movement within a region rather than simply crossing it
• Travel through – Captures the journey aspect when extensive movement is implied
• Spread through – Appropriate when describing news, teachings, or influence extending throughout an area
• Pierce through – Used in contexts where penetration of a barrier is emphasized

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διέρχομαι appears 43 times, with Luke being particularly fond of the term—using it 20 times in his Gospel and Acts to describe the missionary journeys of Jesus and later the apostles. This fits Luke’s narrative focus on movement and the spread of the gospel. The word often carries missiological significance, tracking how the message of the Kingdom advances geographically.

The first New Testament occurrence in Matthew 12:43 reveals a darker application, where Jesus describes an unclean spirit that “passes through” waterless places seeking rest after being cast out. This spiritual application demonstrates how the term can transcend mere physical movement to describe spiritual realities. In many cases, διέρχομαι carries theological weight beyond simple travel, conveying the purposeful advancement of either divine or opposing spiritual forces.

• “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through [διέρχεται] waterless places seeking rest, but finds none.” Matthew 12:43
• “And they came over [διῆλθον] to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.” Mark 5:1
• “And He was passing through [διήρχετο] from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.” Luke 13:22
• “And a report about Him went out [διήρχετο] into every place in the surrounding region.” Luke 4:37
• “And they were passing through [διήρχοντο] the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.” Acts 16:4
• “But Paul went through [διελθὼν] the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples.” Acts 19:1
• “For a sword will pierce [διελεύσεται] even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:35

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, travel was dangerous and significant. Roman roads provided unprecedented mobility, but travelers still faced threats from bandits, harsh weather, and difficult terrain. When Luke repeatedly uses διέρχομαι to describe Paul’s missionary journeys, first-century readers would have recognized the hardship, courage, and divine protection implied. The “passing through” wasn’t merely geographic movement but represented overcoming significant obstacles to spread the gospel.

The Jewish cultural understanding adds another layer of meaning. In Jewish thought, important spiritual transitions were often marked by physical passage. The Passover celebration commemorated Israel “passing through” the Red Sea from slavery to freedom. The High Priest would “pass through” the veil into the Holy of Holies once a year on Yom Kippur. Thus, when Jesus or His followers “passed through” regions, Jewish readers might have detected echoes of these spiritual transitions—marking the advancement of a new divine work. This connection becomes particularly evident in Hebrews 4:14, where Jesus is described as the High Priest who has “passed through [διεληλυθότα] the heavens,” drawing on Temple imagery familiar to Jewish readers.

Theological Significance

The consistent use of διέρχομαι throughout Scripture reveals a profound theological truth: Yahweh is a God who passes through barriers to fulfill His covenantal promises. From the fiery torch passing through the covenant pieces with Abraham to Jesus passing through locked doors after His resurrection (John 20:26), we see that no obstacle—physical, spiritual, or conceptual—can prevent God from reaching His people. The term highlights divine determination and purposeful movement toward redemptive goals.

The word takes on special significance in messianic contexts. When Jesus “passes through” towns and villages healing and teaching, He is not merely traveling but fulfilling prophetic expectations of the Messiah who would come to His people. Isaiah 62:10 (LXX) uses a form of διέρχομαι to describe preparing the way for the people to pass through the gates, foreshadowing the messianic mission. The journey motif embedded in διέρχομαι connects to the biblical theme of salvation history as a divinely guided journey—from exile to homecoming, from bondage to freedom, from death to resurrection.

Personal Application

When we understand the rich meaning of διέρχομαι, we gain new perspective on our spiritual journeys. Just as Jesus purposefully “passed through” Samaria in John 4:4 to encounter the woman at the well, He intentionally passes through the territories of our lives—not as a casual visitor but with redemptive purpose. No barrier in our lives—whether sin, doubt, fear, or circumstance—can prevent His determined movement toward us.

Consider the areas in your life where you feel stuck or hemmed in by seemingly impenetrable walls. The nature of διέρχομαι reminds us that the Messiah specializes in passing through such barriers. When we face spiritual dryness, remember that even as unclean spirits “pass through waterless places,” our Messiah passes through the wilderness experiences with us and for us. His journey toward Jerusalem (Luke 13:22) reminds us that true spiritual passage often requires determined movement toward sacrificial love rather than comfortable detours.

Related Words

• πορεύομαι (poreuomai) – to travel, journey, go (poh-REU-oh-mai): Emphasizes the act of traveling but without the specific sense of passing through something completely as διέρχομαι does. Often used for general movement from place to place. See G4198
• διαπεράω (diaperaō) – to cross over, pass over (dee-ah-per-AH-oh): Specifically focuses on crossing bodies of water or clearly defined boundaries, whereas διέρχομαι has broader application to passing through territories, crowds, or even abstract concepts. See G1276
• διαβαίνω (diabainō) – to step across, cross over (dee-ah-BAI-no): Emphasizes the act of stepping across a boundary or barrier, with less emphasis on the journey through than διέρχομαι. See G1224
• περιάγω (periagō) – to lead around, go around (peh-ree-AH-go): Describes circular movement around an area rather than passing completely through it as διέρχομαι would indicate. See G4013
• διοδεύω (diodeuō) – to journey through (dee-oh-DEU-oh): A close synonym that specifically emphasizes traveling along a road through a region, while διέρχομαι has broader applications to various types of passage. See G1353

Did you Know?

• In modern Greek, the word διέρχομαι is still used today, primarily in formal contexts and literature, maintaining its ancient meaning of “passing through.” This remarkable continuity across nearly three millennia demonstrates the enduring precision of Greek vocabulary for expressing movement concepts.
• When Luke uses διέρχομαι in his Gospel and Acts, he creates a theological geography that traces the fulfillment of Acts 1:8, where Jesus commands the disciples to be witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The careful tracking of who “passes through” which regions documents the divine orchestration of the gospel’s spread.
• The Hebrew concept that corresponds most closely to διέρχομαι is עָבַר (avar), which appears in crucial covenant passages. In Genesis 15:17, when the smoking firepot “passed between” (עָבַר) the pieces in Abraham’s covenant ceremony, it symbolized God’s unconditional commitment—even to death—to fulfill His promises. This connection illuminates why διέρχομαι often carries covenantal undertones in the New Testament.

Remember This

διέρχομαι reminds us that no barrier—physical, spiritual, or circumstantial—can prevent the determined journey of our Messiah toward redemptive encounter with those He loves.