Berean Strong's Lexicon diakrinó: To distinguish, to discern, to judge, to doubt Original Word: διακρίνω Word Origin: From διά (dia, meaning "through" or "thoroughly") and κρίνω (krinó, meaning "to judge" or "to separate") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "diakrinó," similar concepts of discernment and judgment can be found in Hebrew words like בִּין (biyn, Strong's H995, meaning "to understand" or "to discern") and שָׁפַט (shaphat, Strong's H8199, meaning "to judge"). Usage: The Greek verb "diakrinó" primarily means to separate or distinguish between different elements, often implying a process of careful judgment or discernment. In the New Testament, it is used in various contexts, including making distinctions, discerning spirits, and sometimes in the sense of doubting or wavering in faith. The term suggests a thorough examination or evaluation, often requiring wisdom and insight. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, discernment was a valued skill, especially in philosophical and legal contexts. The ability to judge rightly was seen as a mark of wisdom and maturity. In the Jewish tradition, discernment was also crucial, particularly in understanding and applying the Law. The early Christian community valued discernment as a spiritual gift, essential for maintaining doctrinal purity and moral integrity. HELPS Word-studies 1252 diakrínō (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly back-and-forth," which intensifies 2919 /krínō, "to judge") – properly, investigate (judge) thoroughly – literally, judging "back-and-forth" which can either (positively) refer to close-reasoning (descrimination) or negatively "over-judging" (going too far, vacillating). Only the context indicates which sense is meant. [1252 (diakrínō) "literally means, 'to separate throughout or wholly' (dia, 'asunder,' krinō, 'to judge,' from a root kri, meaning 'separation'), then, to distinguish, decide" (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 125).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and krinó Definition to distinguish, to judge NASB Translation decide (1), discern (1), disputed (1), doubt (2), doubting (2), doubts (2), judge (1), judged (1), made distinctions (1), made...distinction (1), misgivings (2), pass judgment (1), regards...as superior (1), took issue (1), waver (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1252: διακρίνωδιακρίνω; imperfect διεκρινον; 1 aorist διεκρινα; middle (present διακρίνομαι); imperfect διεκρινομην; 1 aorist διεκρίθην (in secular authors in a passive sense, to be separated; cf. Winers Grammar, § 39, 2; (Buttmann, 52 (45))); in Greek writings from Homer down; in the Sept. chiefly for שָׁפַט, also for הֵדִין etc. 1. "to separate, make a distinction, discriminate (cf. διά, C. 4): οὐδέν διέκρινε μεταξύ ἡμῶν τέ καί αὐτῶν, Acts 15:9; μηδέν διακρίναντα, making no difference, namely, between Jews and Gentiles, Acts 11:12 L T Tr WH; like the Latindistinguo, used emphatically: to distinguish or separate a person or thing from the rest, in effect equivalent to to prefer, yield to him the preference or honor: τινα, 1 Corinthians 4:7 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 452 (421)); τό σῶμα (τοῦ κυρίου), 1 Corinthians 11:29. 2. to learn by discrimination, to try, decide: Matthew 16:3 (T brackets WH reject the passage); 1 Corinthians 14:29; ἑαυτόν, 1 Corinthians 11:31; to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute: 1 Corinthians 6:5. Passive and middle to be parted, to separate oneself from; 1. to withdraw from one, desert him (Thucydides 1, 105; 3, 9); of heretics withdrawing from the society of true Christians (Sozom. 7, 2 (p. 705, Vales. edition) ἐκ τούτου οἱ μέν διακριθεντες ἰδίᾳ ἐκκλησιαζον): Jude 1:22 according to the (preferable) reading of L T Tr text ἐλέγχετε διακρινομένους, those who separate themselves from you, i. e. who apostatize; instead of the Rec. ἐληιτε διακρινομένοι, which is to be rendered, making for yourselves a selection; cf. Huther at the passage; (others though adopting the reading preferred above, refer διακρίνω to the following head and translate it while they dispute with you; but WH (see their Appendix) Tr marginal reading follow manuscripts א B and a few other authorities in reading ἐλεᾶτε διακρινομένους, according to which διακρίνω is probably to be referred to signification 3: R. V. text on some have mercy, who are in doubt). 2. to separate oneself in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with, dispute, contend: with the dative of person Jude 1:9 (Polybius 2, 22,11 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 1 g.; Buttmann, 177 (154)); πρός τινα, Acts 11:2 (Herodotus 9, 58). 3. in a sense not found in secular authors, to be at variance with oneself, hesitate, doubt: Matthew 21:21; Romans 14:23; James 1:6; ἐν τῇ καρδία αὐτοῦ, Mark 11:23; ἐν ἑαυτῷ (i. e., ἑαυτοῖς), James 2:4 (others refer this to 1: do ye not make distinctions among yourselves); μηδέν διακρινόμενος, nothing doubting, i. e. wholly free from doubt, James 1:6; without any hesitation as to whether it be lawful or not, Acts 10:20 and according to R G in From dia and krino; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate -- contend, make (to) differ(-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver. see GREEK dia see GREEK krino Englishman's Concordance Matthew 16:3 V-PNAGRK: οὐρανοῦ γινώσκετε διακρίνειν τὰ δὲ NAS: Do you know how to discern the appearance KJV: ye can discern the face INT: sky you know [how] to discern moreover Matthew 21:21 V-ASP-2P Mark 11:23 V-ASP-3S Acts 10:20 V-PPM-NMS Acts 11:2 V-IIM-3P Acts 11:12 V-APA-AMS Acts 15:9 V-AIA-3S Romans 4:20 V-AIP-3S Romans 14:23 V-PPM-NMS 1 Corinthians 4:7 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 6:5 V-ANA 1 Corinthians 11:29 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 11:31 V-IIA-1P 1 Corinthians 14:29 V-PMA-3P James 1:6 V-PPM-NMS James 1:6 V-PPM-NMS James 2:4 V-AIP-2P Jude 1:9 V-PPM-NMS Jude 1:22 V-PPM-AMP Strong's Greek 1252 |