Brief Overview of διακούω (G1251: diakoúō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διακούω (diakoúō) [dee-ah-KOO-oh]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, by means of and ἀκούω (G191: akoúō) meaning to hear, to listen.

Word Breakdown:

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

Disclaimer: The above morphological breakdown can differ based on the contextual use of the word in a sentence. For instance, διακούω may appear in different persons, tenses, voices, or moods depending on its usage in various scriptural or literary contexts.

Primary Meanings

• To hear distinctly, to understand clearly.
• To listen attentively, often implying careful consideration.
• To adjudicate or give judgment after careful listening.
• To give an attentive ear to a report, plea, or request.

Lexicon Descriptions

• BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):
• διακούω refers to hearing something with discernment, especially in legal or judicial contexts where careful listening is required before making a judgment. The focus is on the clarity and attentiveness of the hearing.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:35
• Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:
• According to Thayer, διακούω is often used in judicial settings, where it implies a formal hearing or examination. The term can also be applied to situations where someone listens with the intent to thoroughly understand or make an informed decision.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:35
• Vine’s Expository Dictionary:
• Vine’s notes that διακούω carries the connotation of attentive and deliberate hearing. It is often used when there is an intention to fully grasp the meaning or significance of what is being communicated.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:35
• LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):
• The LSJ dictionary identifies διακούω as the act of hearing or listening thoroughly, especially in legal contexts. It suggests that the term was commonly used to indicate the completion of a hearing process where a judge listens to all the facts before making a ruling.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:35
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
• Strong’s defines διακούω as deriving from διά (G1223: diá) and ἀκούω (G191: akoúō), with the meaning of hearing or listening intently. It is primarily found in legal contexts where formal hearings or judgments are involved.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:35

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Herodotus, Histories: In Herodotus’ work, διακούω is used in the context of kings and judges listening to the pleas of petitioners before making a ruling. This reflects the judicial aspect of the term, where careful hearing is integral to fair judgment.
• Xenophon, Memorabilia: In Xenophon’s writing, διακούω is employed when Socrates listens to the arguments of his disciples or interlocutors, suggesting a form of attentive listening aimed at understanding or refuting arguments.
• Plutarch, Lives: Plutarch uses διακούω in the context of a council hearing the testimony of witnesses in a trial, underlining the term’s association with legal and formal hearings in ancient Greek culture.

Summary

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διακούω (G1251: diakoúō) is a verb primarily used to describe the act of hearing or listening with great attention and discernment, often within legal or formal contexts. The word combines the Greek terms διά (through, by means of) and ἀκούω (to hear, to listen), and is commonly associated with situations where a judgment or decision must be made following a thorough examination of the facts. While διακούω is prominently featured in judicial settings in classical Greek literature and scripture, its underlying emphasis on careful listening and understanding makes it applicable in various contexts where clear comprehension is crucial.