Brief Overview of διστάζω (G1365: distazō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διστάζω (distazō)
• Etymology: The word διστάζω is derived from the Greek root “δίς” (dis), meaning “twice,” and “στάζω” (stazō), which relates to “standing” or “taking a stand.” Together, these roots convey the idea of being caught between two stands, or being in two minds.
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To Doubt: The primary meaning of διστάζω is “to doubt” or “to waver.” It implies a state of uncertainty or hesitation between two opinions or courses of action.
• To Hesitate: It can also mean “to hesitate,” capturing the sense of being unsure and delaying a decision or action due to this uncertainty.
• To Be Indecisive: The word conveys a broader sense of indecisiveness, where one is unable to fully commit to a decision or belief, often leading to doubt or wavering.

Further Insights

• Morphology: διστάζω is a verb that belongs to a small group of Greek verbs with a prefix indicating duality or division (“δίς”). The verb implies an internal struggle, as if a person is metaphorically standing in two different places at once, unable to decide between them.
• Usage in Context: This verb is typically used in contexts where doubt or hesitation plays a significant role. For example, in the New Testament, it appears when someone is unsure about a decision, often in a spiritual or faith-based context.
• Comparison with Other Verbs: διστάζω is closely related to verbs like διακρίνω (diakrinō), which also means “to doubt” or “to distinguish,” but with a slightly different emphasis on judgment and discernment.

Lexicon Descriptions

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):

• BDAG describes διστάζω as “to doubt, waver, or hesitate,” highlighting its use in the New Testament to denote moments of spiritual or moral indecision.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:31 – “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt (διστάζω)?'”

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s emphasizes the verb’s connotation of wavering between two opinions, particularly in matters of faith or belief. It notes that διστάζω is often used in the New Testament to describe moments of doubt in the face of divine intervention.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:17 – “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted (διστάζω).”

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

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• Strong’s Concordance identifies διστάζω as G1365, meaning “to doubt” or “to waver.” It notes that the verb is used to describe moments of uncertainty, especially when faith is tested.
• Scripture Reference: James 1:6 – “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt (διστάζω), because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s Dictionary notes that διστάζω primarily conveys the idea of hesitation or indecision, often in a spiritual context where faith is involved. It highlights the verb’s use in moments where belief is challenged by doubt.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:31 – “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt (διστάζω)?'”

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Homer’s Iliad: While not common in Homer, similar concepts of hesitation or wavering can be found in descriptions of warriors who hesitate before a battle, reflecting internal conflict.
• Herodotus’ Histories: Herodotus uses similar language to describe leaders who waver between two decisions, highlighting the indecisiveness that often accompanies difficult choices in governance and war.
• Plato’s Dialogues: Plato employs related terms when discussing the nature of knowledge and belief, especially when a character is caught between two conflicting ideas or theories, illustrating a kind of intellectual wavering.

Summary

The Greek verb διστάζω (G1365) encapsulates the idea of doubt, hesitation, and wavering. It is used primarily in contexts where an individual is caught between two choices, often in matters of faith or belief. The verb suggests a state of being metaphorically “split” between two stands, unable to fully commit to either. In the New Testament, it is used to describe moments when faith falters, and doubt creeps in. Understanding διστάζω provides deeper insight into the human experience of indecision and the struggle to maintain faith in challenging circumstances.