Understanding διηγέομαι (diēgeomai) G1334: The Divine Art of Declarative Storytelling in Biblical Narrative

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ay-GEH-oh-my

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1334: διηγέομαι (diēgeomai) refers to the act of narrating fully, giving a detailed account, or explaining something thoroughly through words. It conveys the idea of leading someone through a story or explanation so they can understand exactly what happened. This word emphasizes not just the telling of events, but a complete declaration that helps listeners grasp the significance of what is being communicated.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: Compound of διά (dia, “through, thoroughly”) + ἡγέομαι (hēgeomai, “to lead, guide”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in the Gospels and Acts
• Voice: Middle/Passive deponent (active in meaning while passive/middle in form)
• Tense: Present, Aorist, Perfect
• Mood: Indicative, Infinitive, Participle

διηγέομαι Morphology:

• διηγέομαι (present indicative) – I fully narrate, I explain thoroughly
• διηγήσομαι (future indicative) – I will fully narrate
• διηγησάμην (aorist indicative) – I fully narrated, I explained thoroughly
• διηγοῦ (present imperative) – Narrate! Tell thoroughly!
• διηγεῖσθαι (present infinitive) – to narrate fully
• διηγούμενος (present participle) – narrating fully, one who tells thoroughly

Origin & History

The compound verb διηγέομαι has ancient roots in classical Greek literature where it was regularly employed by historians and orators when they needed to provide detailed accounts of events. The prefix διά intensifies the base verb ἡγέομαι, transforming its meaning from simply “to lead” to “to lead through” or “to guide completely through” a narrative or explanation.

In classical literature, Thucydides used forms of διηγέομαι in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” when providing comprehensive accounts of historical events. Plato employed it in his dialogues when characters needed to give thorough explanations. The Septuagint translators chose this word when rendering Hebrew narrative verbs that emphasized detailed or significant accounts, particularly in Genesis and Exodus narratives that carried theological importance. Later, Josephus extensively used διηγέομαι in his “Antiquities of the Jews” when recounting Jewish history in detail, showing its continued significance for formal historical narration in the first century.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A thorough narration or account that guides listeners through events in detail
• An explanatory telling designed to help others understand the significance of what happened
• A declaration that creates a complete picture of something witnessed or experienced
• A recounting that emphasizes both facts and meaning

διηγέομαι Translation Options:

• “To narrate fully” – Emphasizes the completeness of the account being given
• “To declare thoroughly” – Highlights the explanatory aspect that guides listeners to understanding
• “To recount in detail” – Stresses the comprehensive nature of the telling
• “To explain completely” – Captures the teaching element inherent in the verb’s etymology
• “To tell through” – A literal rendering that preserves the διά prefix’s sense of thoroughness

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διηγέομαι appears predominantly in narrative contexts where something significant has occurred that demands thorough explanation. It first appears in Mark 5:16, where witnesses told others exactly what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the swine. The verb consistently appears when miraculous events, divine revelations, or spiritually significant encounters need to be communicated to others. This pattern suggests that διηγέομαι is not casual conversation but purposeful communication designed to help listeners grasp the significance of God’s work.

The Septuagint employs διηγέομαι for Hebrew verbs related to significant declarations, especially concerning God’s mighty acts or His covenant faithfulness. In Psalm 78:3-4, the psalmist uses this verb when describing how one generation must thoroughly declare Yahweh’s praiseworthy deeds to the next. This demonstrates that διηγέομαι often carries spiritual significance beyond mere reporting—it involves transmitting understanding about divine activity.

• “Those who had seen it told [διηγήσαντο] them how the demon-possessed man had been healed.” Mark 5:16
• “And they began to relate [διηγεῖσθαι] all the things which God had done with them.” Acts 14:27
• “And he reported [διηγήσατο] to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house.” Acts 11:13
• “They also who had seen it told [διηγήσαντο] them how he who was possessed with demons was healed.” Luke 8:36
• “And they told [διηγήσαντο] what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” Luke 24:35
• “Then they also explained [διηγοῦντο] the things that had happened on the road.” Acts 9:27
• “When he arrived, he began to relate [διηγεῖτο] one by one the things which God had done.” Acts 21:19

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, detailed narration was considered an essential skill, especially for those in positions of leadership or education. The art of διηγέομαι was practiced in various cultural contexts—legal proceedings relied on thorough accounts from witnesses; philosophical schools employed detailed narration to transmit teachings; and family traditions were preserved through careful recounting of ancestral stories. This cultural appreciation for structured, complete narrative helps explain why the Gospel writers chose διηγέομαι for accounts of miracles and divine encounters.

For Jewish communities, detailed narration was particularly significant during Passover celebrations and other feasts when the mighty acts of God were recounted for new generations. The Hebrew concept of “haggadah” (הַגָּדָה), meaning “telling,” shares conceptual space with διηγέομαι. Both emphasize not merely stating facts but guiding listeners through an account in a way that transmits meaning and significance. When Luke begins his Gospel by referencing those who “delivered to us the things which they were eyewitnesses” (Luke 1:1-4), he is drawing on this rich Jewish tradition of faithful transmission through detailed narration.

Theological Significance

The consistent use of διηγέομαι in contexts of divine activity reveals a profound theological truth: God desires His mighty works to be thoroughly declared and explained, not simply mentioned. When witnesses to the Gerasene demoniac’s healing “narrated fully” (διηγήσαντο) what they had seen (Mark 5:16), they were participating in God’s plan for the knowledge of His power to spread through detailed testimony. This pattern reflects Yahweh’s nature as a God who reveals Himself through actions in history that are meant to be recounted, explained, and understood.

Moreover, διηγέομαι connects to the broader biblical theme of testimony and witness. The disciples on the road to Emmaus used this verb when telling others about their encounter with the risen Messiah (Luke 24:35), suggesting that proper testimony about Jesus involves thorough explanation of what happened and what it means. Paul likewise “narrated fully” (διηγεῖτο) God’s work among the Gentiles (Acts 21:19), showing that comprehensive declaration of divine activity forms the foundation of evangelism and discipleship. In this way, διηγέομαι represents not just a speech act but a spiritual discipline through which believers participate in God’s self-revelation.

Personal Application

When we understand the fullness of διηγέομαι, our approach to sharing our faith takes on new dimensions. Rather than giving abbreviated testimonies or simplified accounts of God’s work in our lives, this word calls us to thoroughly declare and explain what Yahweh has done. Like the healed demoniac who was commanded to “go home to your people and report [διήγησαι] to them what great things the Lord has done for you” (Mark 5:19), we are called to be detailed narrators of divine activity.

Consider how you might practice διηγέομαι in your own life. When sharing about answered prayers, spiritual breakthroughs, or moments of divine guidance, take the time to thoroughly explain not just what happened but its significance. Guide your listeners through the story so they can grasp God’s character and purposes as revealed in your experience. In a world of soundbites and abbreviated communication, the practice of detailed, meaningful narration stands as a countercultural spiritual discipline that honors the God who acts in history and calls us to declare His deeds fully.

Related Words

• λαλέω (laleō, “to speak, talk”) [lah-LEH-oh] – More general term for speaking or talking without the specific emphasis on thoroughness or detailed narration found in διηγέομαι. See G2980
• λέγω (legō, “to say, speak, tell”) [LEH-go] – The most common NT word for speaking, focusing on the content of what is said rather than the thoroughness of the explanation. See G3004
• ἀναγγέλλω (anangellō, “to announce, report back”) [an-ang-GEL-lo] – Emphasizes bringing back news or reporting to someone, while διηγέομαι focuses more on the completeness of the narration. See G312
• ἐξηγέομαι (exēgeomai, “to lead out, explain”) [ex-ay-GEH-oh-my] – Closely related to διηγέομαι but with the prefix ἐξ- suggesting explanation that brings something out into the open; the source of our English word “exegesis.” See G1834
• ἀπαγγέλλω (apangellō, “to report, announce”) [ap-ang-GEL-lo] – Focuses on the delivering of a message, while διηγέομαι emphasizes guiding someone through a fuller understanding. See G518

Did You Know?

• Did you know that Luke, the writer of both the Gospel of Luke and Acts, uses forms of διηγέομαι more than any other New Testament author? As a careful historian and physician, Luke valued thorough explanation and detailed accounts, making this verb particularly suited to his literary purposes. His prologue (Luke 1:1-4) uses a related term (διήγησιν, “narrative”) to describe his comprehensive account of the Messiah’s life and teaching.
• Did you know that modern Greek still uses διηγούμαι (with slightly modified spelling but the same root) to mean “to narrate” or “to tell stories”? Greek children’s books often use this verb in titles that can be translated as “I narrate stories” or “Tales told completely.” This linguistic continuity demonstrates the enduring importance of thorough storytelling in Greek culture from biblical times to the present.
• Did you know that in ancient Jewish tradition, the obligation to thoroughly recount the Exodus story during Passover is based on the command in Exodus 13:8: “You shall tell [καὶ ἀναγγελεῖς] your son on that day…” The Septuagint uses a synonym of διηγέομαι here, and both verbs capture the Hebrew concept that salvation history must be narrated fully, not just mentioned. This explains why detailed narration (διηγέομαι) of God’s mighty acts appears so frequently in New Testament accounts of salvation through Jesus.

Remember This

διηγέομαι reminds us that encountering God’s power creates a sacred obligation to thoroughly declare and explain His works so others can understand not just what happened, but why it matters.